The Department of Basic Education’s move has made a proposal to shift to the school calendar in 2026 and close all schools in South Africa from February 5, 2020. The closure has managed to capture the attention of parents, learners, and educators, since it directly affects academic planning in the first term of 2026.
Reasons for the February 2026 Closure
According to the department, the February closures are a part of the calendar adjustments chiefly meant towards achieving better learning continuity by aligning school terms to public holidays and phases of assessment. In its explanation, the education authority stated that the altered term schedule gives schools better time management for continuing to tackle the goals of curriculum delivery at early break of the academic year for both the learners and the teachers.
Schools to Be Affected
The closure applies to public schools throughout the nation, including both the primary and secondary levels. Although independent schools are not bound to follow the national calendar to the letter, many are expected to make adjustments which will bring them into harmony with the revised dates. Depending on local circumstances, awareness will be provided to educational administrations in each province, and parents are strongly advised to keep abreast of proceedings through the usual official communication.
Duration of the February Closure of His Excrescent
Schools have been set for closure at February 5, 2026, with the reopenings being fixed for the following week depending on the confirmation of the relevant respective province. The shutdown has been provided for with great care. It would cause a minimum interruption to the implementation of the curriculum and allow a reasonable break for learners very early in the year.
Communicated to the Parents and Pupils
Parents are encouraged to make child care and transportation arrangements way ahead of time, especially for [the] juniors. Schools are supposed to furnish revised academic calendars with reviewed assessment schedules and revised homework completion deadlines for continuity of learning. All learners preparing for fourth term evaluations are advised to revise and consolidate well within the break, not to hinder their pace.
Basically, it will not affect the 2026 academic year
In assurances to the public, education authorities clarified that closing schools in February will not affect the overall teaching time of 2026. The revised calendar is based on the minimum number of school days required by law. The government stress that these changes are designed to protect the health and academic timely success of learners in the long run.