School calendar: When do the holidays end?

As South African pupils savor a well-deserved Christmas and New Year holiday, thoughts inevitably turn to the impending end of this joyful break and the beginning of the new academic chapter in 2024.

In a noteworthy departure from past practices, all public schools—whether located inland or along the coast—will synchronise their term calendars in 2024.

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Aligning holiday schedules across provinces

This unification eliminates the previous distinctions in holiday schedules for inland provinces (Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West) and coastal provinces (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape).

As the Department of Basic Education unveils the 2024 school calendar, pupils and parents alike are eager to plan for the upcoming academic year.

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With a total of 203 school days distributed across four terms, the 2024 school year will commence on Wednesday, 17 January.

Breaking down the 2024 terms

• Term 1: 17 January to 20 March
• Term 2: 3 April to 14 June
• Term 3: 9 July to 20 September
• Term 4: 1 October to 11 December

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This anticipation surrounding the end of the holiday season and the commencement of the 2024 school year highlights the nation’s commitment to providing a consistent and extended learning experience, ensuring both students and educators are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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