No, the School Calendar Hasn’t Changed: Education Department Shuts Down 2025 Rumours

If you’ve recently seen social media posts or WhatsApp chain messages claiming the 2025 school calendar has been overhauled—you can breathe easy. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has officially stepped in to debunk the confusion.

According to the DBE, the official 2025 school calendar remains exactly as it was published, and no adjustments have been made to school terms, holidays, or administrative dates. So, parents and teachers, you don’t need to worry about rescheduling your mid-year break just yet.

Where Did the Confusion Start?

Earlier this week, a report by a little-known platform called Rise UP on Monday sparked unnecessary panic. It claimed that the education department had “revamped” the calendar in a bid to “evenly distribute terms” and “optimise learning.” While it sounded plausible—and even a bit official—the DBE says it’s completely false.

In a strongly worded public statement, the department warned:

“The Department has not made any announcement regarding the school calendar for 2025 whatsoever! Beware of scams.”

The post quickly gained traction on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), with some users even resharing it as fact. In township communities like Sebokeng and Umlazi, teachers were already fielding questions from concerned parents. Others took to TikTok to voice their frustrations with what they assumed were last-minute changes.

The Truth: 2025 School Calendar Stays Put

To set the record straight, here’s a breakdown of the confirmed 2025 school calendar as it currently stands:

Term 1

• Starts: 15 January 2025

• Ends: 28 March 2025

• Public holidays: New Year’s Day (1 Jan), Human Rights Day (21 Mar)

• School break: 29 March – 7 April

Term 2

• Starts: 8 April 2025

• Ends: 27 June 2025

• Public holidays: Good Friday (18 Apr), Family Day (21 Apr), Freedom Day (27 Apr), Workers’ Day (1 May), Youth Day (16 Jun)

• Special break: 29 April – 2 May

• School break: 18 June – 8 July

Term 3

• Starts: 22 July 2025

• Ends: 3 October 2025

• Public holidays: Women’s Day (9 Aug), Heritage Day (24 Sep)

• School break: 6 – 10 October

Term 4

• Starts: 13 October 2025

• Ends: 10 December 2025

• Admin days: 11 – 12 December

• Public holidays: Day of Reconciliation (16 Dec), Christmas Day (25 Dec), Day of Goodwill (26 Dec)

South Africa’s Long History with Calendar Confusion

This isn’t the first time the school calendar has been at the centre of misinformation. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar fake updates did the rounds, often sowing panic among already-stressed parents. The DBE has since urged the public to only trust official channels such as their website or government gazettes for education updates.

As Education Analyst Karabo Molefe notes, “When school calendars change, it’s not something done quietly or overnight. There’s always stakeholder consultation—SGBs, unions, provincial heads—and the media gets briefed too.”

Why Accuracy Matters

False reports like these don’t just cause confusion—they also undermine trust in important public institutions. In a country where many families rely on precise school dates to plan transport, childcare, and work schedules, accuracy isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

DBE officials said they’re currently investigating the origin of the viral post and warned that spreading disinformation is a serious offence.

 Unless the DBE posts a change through its verified communication platforms, the 2025 school calendar is exactly what it was: predictable, published, and unchanged.

{Source: The Citizen}

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