Rumours of an extended December 2025 school holiday have been spreading across South Africa, creating uncertainty among parents, learners and educators. The claims suggest that schools will close much earlier than usual as the government reviews the academic calendar. However, the Department of Basic Education has not confirmed any extension to the December 2025 break.
What Sparked the Confusion
Much of the speculation comes from the government’s ongoing work to reassess the national school calendar policy. Officials are reviewing how school terms align with public holidays, teaching time and administrative planning. Part of this review includes a proposal to create a unified academic calendar for all provinces, replacing the long-standing inland and coastal schedules.
Because this proposal is still under evaluation, some people assumed that drastic changes, including longer breaks, had already been approved for 2025. This led to widespread confusion and incorrect assumptions about early closures.
The Current 2025 Calendar Remains in Place
Despite the rumours, the official school calendar for 2025 remains unchanged. Term 4 is still scheduled to end in December as originally planned, and there is no government directive indicating an extended holiday period. Parents and schools should continue following the published 2025 calendar until the Department formally announces otherwise.
The Review of Public Holiday Alignment
One of the main reasons the academic calendar is being reassessed is the inconsistent alignment between school terms and public holidays. Some holidays fall during times that disrupt teaching schedules or shorten certain terms.
The Department is considering adjustments that would create a more evenly balanced academic year with fewer interruptions. These discussions are ongoing and do not affect the structure of the 2025 school year unless an official update is released.
Why Misinformation Spread Quickly
Posts online claiming extended school holidays circulated rapidly, giving the impression that early closure was confirmed. Because school holidays affect travel plans, childcare and family schedules, such claims gain traction quickly. Without official communication to counter these rumours immediately, misinformation took hold and spread widely.
What Parents and Schools Should Do Now
Families and educators are encouraged to remain cautious and confirm any school-calendar information through official channels. The most reliable approach is to:
- Follow announcements from the Department of Basic Education
- Verify information directly with schools
- Ignore unconfirmed social-media posts
This prevents unnecessary confusion and helps households plan accurately.
What to Expect Moving Forward
While the government’s review may lead to future changes in how school terms are structured, no extended December 2025 break has been approved. Any new policy or adjustment to the academic calendar will be formally communicated before taking effect.
The ongoing reassessment signals a move toward creating a more consistent and efficient school calendar for all provinces. Once changes are finalised, they may bring improvements to how learning time and public holidays are balanced. For now, the existing 2025 calendar remains the official guide.
