Gauteng parents and learners have two weeks of school left before public schools close for the September school holidays on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The break begins on 24 September and runs until 5 October, with learners returning to classrooms for the fourth and final term on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
The dates form part of the official 2026 public school calendar and apply to public schools across Gauteng and the rest of South Africa.
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Gauteng Schools Close on 23 September
The third school term began on Tuesday, 21 July and runs for 10 weeks.
According to the official school calendar, the final school day of the term is Wednesday, 23 September. The holiday period then runs from Thursday, 24 September until Monday, 5 October.
The timing means the school break begins on Heritage Day, which is observed nationally on 24 September.
For Gauteng families, the dates provide an important planning window for childcare, travel and other arrangements during the break.
When Do Gauteng Schools Reopen?
Public schools reopen on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, when learners begin the fourth and final term of the academic year.
The final term will also run for 10 weeks.
Learners will attend school from 6 October until Wednesday, 9 December 2026, when public schools close for the end of year holidays.
Parents should note that these dates are for public schools. Independent schools may follow different calendars and families with children attending private schools should confirm term dates directly with their schools.
Key September School Holiday Dates for Parents
Gauteng parents planning around the upcoming break should take note of these dates:
- Wednesday, 23 September: Last day of the third term
- Thursday, 24 September: Heritage Day and start of the school holidays
- Monday, 5 October: Final day of the school holidays
- Tuesday, 6 October: Public schools reopen for the fourth term
- Wednesday, 9 December: Public schools close for the 2026 academic year
The September break separates the third and fourth terms and is the final scheduled school holiday before the end of the academic year.
What The official 2026 School Calendar Shows
The 2026 public school year began on 14 January and is divided into four terms.
The first term ran from 14 January to 27 March, followed by the first school holiday from 28 March to 7 April.
The second term started on 8 April and ended on 26 June. Learners then had their longest break during the academic year, with the winter school holidays running from 27 June until 20 July.
The third term began on 21 July and will end on 23 September.
The fourth term begins on 6 October and ends on 9 December.
Full 2026 Public School Term Dates
Here are the main dates parents need for the remainder of the academic year, together with the completed terms:
First term
Schools opened on 14 January and closed on 27 March. The school holidays ran from 28 March to 7 April.
Second term
Schools opened on 8 April and closed on 26 June. The winter school holidays ran from 27 June to 20 July.
The term included Freedom Day on 27 April, Workers’ Day on 1 May and Youth Day on 16 June. The calendar also included a special school holiday on 15 June.
Third term
Schools opened on 21 July and close on 23 September. The school holidays run from 24 September until 5 October.
Fourth term
Schools reopen on 6 October and close on 9 December, bringing the 2026 public school academic year to an end.
The Day of Reconciliation on 16 December, Christmas Day on 25 December and the Day of Goodwill on 26 December all fall after public schools have closed for the year.
September Break Gives Gauteng Families 12 days Away From School
With the final day of classes falling on 23 September and schools reopening on 6 October, learners will have 12 consecutive days away from school, including weekends.
The holiday period covers the Heritage Day public holiday on 24 September.
Families travelling during the break should therefore plan around the official reopening date of 6 October, when attendance resumes for the final term.
The break is considerably shorter than the winter holiday, which ran from late June until 20 July.
Final Term Brings The 2026 School Year To an End
When learners return on 6 October, there will be only one term remaining in the 2026 academic year.
The fourth term runs for 10 weeks and ends on 9 December.
For learners in senior grades, the final months of the year may also include examinations and other school specific academic programmes. Parents should therefore continue checking communication from individual schools for dates that fall within the national term calendar.
The official calendar establishes the national opening and closing dates, while individual schools may provide their own schedules for examinations, assessments and school activities.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng households, Wednesday, 23 September is the key date to plan around. Parents who work during the school holidays may need to arrange childcare from Thursday, 24 September until schools reopen on Tuesday, 6 October.
Families planning trips during the break also have a defined window of 12 days before learners are expected back at school.
The reopening date is particularly important because it marks the start of the final 10 weeks of the 2026 school year.
Parents should also remember that the national public school calendar does not necessarily apply to every independent school in Gauteng. Families should check directly with their school where different term dates may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Gauteng schools close for the September holidays in 2026?
Gauteng public schools close on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, at the end of the third term.
When are the September school holidays?
The public school holiday runs from 24 September to 5 October 2026.
When do Gauteng schools reopen after the September break?
Public schools reopen on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, for the fourth and final term.
When do schools close for the year in 2026?
Public schools are scheduled to close on Wednesday, 9 December 2026.
Does the calendar apply to private schools in Gauteng?
The dates form part of the national public school calendar. Independent schools may use different term dates, so parents should confirm dates with their child’s school.
Parents Can Start Planning For The September Break
With the third term ending on 23 September, Gauteng families now have confirmed dates for the final school break before the last term of 2026.
Learners will be away from school from 24 September until 5 October before returning on 6 October. The fourth term then runs until 9 December, when the 2026 public school year officially comes to an end.
