School holidays are essential in any educational setting. The holidays represent the time when students are given a break from the daily learning activities to probably go back home and rest for a while before resuming learning. The holidays are important because they enable the learners to get time to be with their families, to travel and explore new things, to break from the learning stress and probably get an opportunity to engage in some income-generating activity through part-time working.
South Africa, just as any other nation, has holidays where the learners at every level break from learning and resume later.
Educational System In South Africa
Department Of Basic Education is one of the two departments that govern education in South Africa. It is responsible for primary and secondary schools. The other department is the Department Of Higher Education And Training which is responsible for higher education and vocational training.
Department Of Higher Education And Training deals with higher education which involves colleges and universities. On the other hand, The Department Of Basic Education is mostly involved with public and private primary and secondary schools, special needs schools and early childhood development centers.
School Holidays in South Africa
South Africa comprises of 9 provinces which formulate and implement their educational policies which are in line with those of the South African national government. It is worth noting that all the 9 provinces have the same school calendar. Also, the Department of Basic education can modify these dates, therefore it is advisable to keep checking so that you get updated with the most recent dates.
In 2019, the first term according to the South African school calendar begins on 9th January and ends on 15th March which reflects a total of 10 weeks of study in term one. Term two begins on 2nd April. This reflects a holiday break of around 2 weeks and 3 days between term one and term two.
Term two ends on 14th June. Learners spend 11 weeks of study in term two.
Term three begin on 9th July and ends on 20th September. The holiday between term two and term three is approximately 3 weeks and 3 days. Learners also spend 11 weeks studying in term three.
Finally, term four begins on 1st October and ends on 4th December. Learners spend 10 weeks studying in term four. The holiday between term three and four is approximately 1 week and 3 days. After the fourth term, learners break for the December holiday and resume learning in January.
Summary Table of Terms, School starts, school ends and study Weeks in South Africa
| Term | School Start | School Ends | Weeks of study | Length of holiday |
| 1 | 9th January | 15th March | 10 | 2 weeks 3days |
| 2 | 2nd April | 14th June | 11 | 3weeks 3days |
| 3 | 9th July | 20th September | 11 | 1week 3days |
| 4 | 1st October | 4th December | 10 | 5weeks |
Other Popular Holidays in South Africa
Besides the school holidays in South Africa, there are also other popular holidays which may result in learners being given a break from studies. They include Christmas, Day of Goodwill, Day of Reconciliation, Easter, Freedom Day, Heritage Day, Human Rights Day, National Women’s Day, New Year’s Day, Workers’ Day and Youth Day.
