2023 School Calendar for Public Schools in South Africa

2023 School Calendar for Public Schools in South Africa for Primary and High School. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) published the school calendar for 2023. The school calendar for a particular year structures the total number of days allocated for teaching and learning in that year and stipulates the dates of commencement and termination of the school terms and the length of school holidays. As a parent or guardian of a child attending a public primary or high school in South Africa, you may be interested in the 2023 School Calendar South Africa. In South Africa, the school calendar generally includes the following; term dates, examination dates, sporting events and school holidays for the 2023 school year. In this article, you will see the dates for the 2023 School Calendar South Africa.

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Inland Cluster Schools

Inland Cluster schools include schools that are located in the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.

Coastal Cluster Schools

Coastal Cluster schools include schools that are located in Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Western Cape.

Public and School Holidays 2023

  • 1 January 2023: New Year’s Day
  • 2 January 2023: Public Holiday
  • 20 March 2023: Special School Holiday
  • 21 March 2023: Human Rights Day
  • 7 April 2023: Good Friday
  • 10 April 2023: Family Day
  • 27 April 2023: Freedom Day
  • 28 April 2023: Special School Holiday
  • 1 May 2023: Workers’ Day
  • 16 June 2023: Youth Day
  • 9 August 2023: National Women’s Day
  • 24 September 2023: Heritage Day
  • 25 September 2023: Public Holiday
  • 16 December 2023: Day of Reconciliation
  • 25 December 2023: Christmas Day
  • 26 December 2023: Day of Goodwill

Source: National Education Policy Act:  2023 school calendar for public schools [PDF].

2023 School Calendar South Africa

Inland cluster: Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West

School Terms for 2023
Inland cluster: Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West
Terms Start Date End Date Days in Term Public Holidays
Teachers back 9 January 2022
Term1 11 Jan 2023 24 Mar 2023 55 days 1+1
Term2 12 April 2023 23 June 2023 53 days 3+1
Term3 18 July 2023 29 September 2023 54 days 2 days
Term4 10 October 2023 13 December 2023 47 days 0 days
Teachers close 14 December 2023
Totals 207 6+2
School Terms for 2023
Coastal Cluster: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape
Terms Start Date End Date Days in Term Public Holidays
Teachers back 16 January 2022
Term1 18 Jan 2023 31 Mar 2023 53 days 1+1
Term2 12 April 2023 23 June 2023 53 days 3+1
Term3 18 July 2023 29 September 2023 54 days 2 days
Term4 10 October 2023 13 December 2023 47 days 0 days
Teachers close 14 December 2023
Totals 207 6+2

What Is A School Calendar?

The school calendar for a particular year structures the total number of days allocated for teaching and learning in that year and stipulates the dates of commencement and termination of the school terms and the length of school holidays. A school calendar is also a schedule of events and activities that take place in a school over the course of a year. It includes important dates such as holidays, school breaks, parent-teacher conferences, testing dates, and other events that are relevant to students, teachers, and families.

A school calendar typically includes the following information:

  1. School Start and End Dates: The dates when the school year begins and ends.
  2. Holidays and Breaks: The dates for major holidays, such as Christmas, as well as school breaks, such as spring break or winter break.
  3. Testing Dates: The dates for standardized tests, such as state or national exams.
  4. Parent-Teacher Conferences: Dates for meetings between parents and teachers to discuss a student’s progress.
  5. Special Events: Dates for school events, such as concerts, sporting events, or school plays.

The school calendar is an important tool for families, as it helps them plan for the school year and ensures that they are aware of important dates and events. Schools often distribute school calendars at the beginning of the year, and they are also available online on the school’s website.

Types Of Public Schools in South Africa

In South Africa, there are two types of public schools:

  1. No-fee schools: These schools are funded by the government and do not charge tuition fees to attend.
  2. Partial-fee schools: These schools are also funded by the government, but charge partial tuition fees to attend.

Both types of public schools follow the national curriculum set by the Department of Education and offer education from grade 0 to grade 12.

Types Of Schools in South Africa

In South Africa, there are several types of schools, including:

  1. Public schools: These schools are funded by the government and are open to all students, regardless of their financial background. There are two types of public schools in South Africa: no-fee schools and partial-fee schools.
  2. Independent schools: These schools are privately funded and are not controlled by the government. They are free to set their own curriculum and fees.
  3. Private schools: Similar to independent schools, these are privately owned and funded, but they follow the national curriculum and are registered with the Department of Education.
  4. International schools: These schools follow an international curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and cater to expatriate and foreign students.
  5. Special schools: These schools cater to students with special needs, such as those with physical or intellectual disabilities.
  6. Home schools: In South Africa, parents have the option to educate their children at home, either by themselves or with the help of a registered home-schooling organization.

FAQs

What Are The Inland Cluster Schools Terms?

  • Term 1: 11 January 2023 to 24 March 2023
  • Term 2: 12 April 2023 to 23 June 2023
  • Term 3: 18 July 2023 to 29 September 2023
  • Term 4: 10 October 2023 to 13 December 2023

What Are The Coastal Cluster Schools Terms?

  • Term 1: 18 January 2023 to 31 March 2023
  • Term 2: 12 April 2023 to 23 June 2023
  • Term 3: 18 July 2023 to 29 September 2023
  • Term 4: 10 October 2023 to 13 December 2023

2023 School Terms South Africa

2023

The Department of Basic Education published the school calendar for 2023 on 18 March 2022.

Inland cluster: Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.

Term Duration Number of weeks Number of days Number of public holidays Actual number of school days
1 (09) 11 Jan – 24 Mar 11 53(55) 1+1 51 (53)
2 12 Apr – 23 Jun 11 53 3+1 49
3 18 Jul – 29 Sept 11 54 2 52
4 10 Oct – 13 (15) Dec 10 47 (49) 0 47 (49)
Total 43 207 (211) 6+2 199 (203)

Coastal cluster: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape.

Term Duration Number of weeks Number of days Number of public holidays Actual number of school days
1 (16) 18 Jan – 31 Mar 11 53(55) 1+1 51(53)
2 12 Apr – 23 Jun 11 53 3+1 49
3 18 Jul – 29 Sept 11 54 2 52
4 10 Oct – 13 (15) Dec 10 47 (49) 0 47 (49)
Total 43 207 (211) 6+2 199 (203)

Inland Cluster schools include schools in the following provinces in South Africa

  • Free State
  • Gauteng
  • Limpopo
  • Mpumalanga
  • North West

Coastal schools include schools in the following provinces in South Africa

  • Eastern Cape
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Northern Cape
  • Western Cape

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