Schools across South Africa are open for the 2025 school year, and the Department of Basic Education has introduced a unique change to the calendar.
According to BusinessTech, learners will get an extra week-long holiday from 28 April to 2 May, aligning with Freedom Day (27 April) and Workers Day (1 May).
This adjustment means that learners will attend school for 200 days in 2025, with the school year structured as follows:
- Term 1: 15 January to 28 March
- Term 2: 8 April to 27 June
- Term 3: 22 July to 3 October
- Term 4: 13 October to 10 December
The calendar also includes 27 school holidays and six public holidays.
Minister Gwarube Assesses School Infrastructure
On the first day of the academic year, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube visited schools in the Eastern Cape to assess conditions. JacarandaFM reported that she raised concerns over ongoing infrastructure challenges, particularly schools still relying on pit latrines.
Gwarube highlighted that nearly 11 000 schools lack a single flushing toilet, and 3398 schools still depend on pit latrines.
“We are working flat out to make sure that we are supporting provinces like the Eastern Cape and Limpopo that still have a high number of pit toilets,” the minister told the media.
She emphasised the importance of addressing the issue urgently.
“It is important to note that it’s not just about safety, but it also about the dignity of not only the learners but that of the educators in those schools,” she stated.
Equal Education Criticises Lack of Binding Deadlines
According to JacarandaFM, despite the department’s efforts, advocacy group Equal Education remains critical, arguing that the government has not committed to legally binding deadlines for ending the use of pit toilets.
“This has not been promulgated and included in the new norm that does not have timelines or even legally binding deadlines,” said Equal Education Junior Organiser Masechaba Ntsane.
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