School holidays December 2026 South Africa: Key dates
School holidays December 2026 South Africa begin when public school learners leave class on Wednesday, 9 December 2026.
Latest in Schools
Lifestyle
How to choose school luggage and accessories that survive the school year
Learn how to choose school luggage that lasts the whole year. Check the stitching, zips, base and straps that separate durable bags from throwaways. Read more.
News
Western Cape schools closed as Level 8 storm batters the province
All Western Cape schools are closed on 12 May 2026 as a Level 8 weather warning triggers flooding and dangerous storm conditions across the province.
Health
One in six South African high school learners currently vapes, study finds
A new SAMJ study finds 1 in 6 South African high school learners currently vapes, with up to 61% showing signs of serious nicotine addiction. Here is what the data shows.
News
Understanding the policy overhaul that will affect the 2026 school calendar
The DBE has gazetted major changes to how school calendars are set, including scrapping the long-standing separation between inland and coastal schools for the 2026 school calendar and beyond.
Cape Town Buzz
Growing Minds Summerfield Campus denies claims the school was shut down
Growing Minds school has denied reports that its Summerfield Campus was shut down for operating grades 8 to 11 without registration, saying it remains fully registered and will continue teaching junior grades.
Cape Town Buzz
Growing Minds private Cape Town school shut down for allegedly operating without a licence
The Growing Minds school in Cape Town’s Gardens area has been shut down after authorities found it was operating grades eight to 11 without registration since 2022.
Viral News
Milnerton High School courts backlash over viral assault video
A Milnerton High School learner and cancer survivor was among nine pupils allegedly assaulted by senior students in an incident caught on video.
News
Basic Education Minister addresses delays in teacher assistant salaries
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has intervened after ongoing delays in teacher assistant salaries left thousands of education assistants without payment.
News
More than 21 children survive horror accident on Stoffelton Road bridge
A taxi carrying 21 schoolchildren plunged off the Stoffelton Road bridge near Pietermaritzburg this morning, but thanks to fast action from residents and emergency services, all the children survived.
Viral News
Knysna High pupil set for disciplinary hearing for using K-word on camera [video]
Knysna High School has launched a probe after a video of a pupil using the K-word went viral, with the learner now facing a disciplinary hearing.
![Knysna High pupil set for disciplinary hearing for using K-word on camera [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/swisherpost-knysna-high-school-768x512.jpg)
Viral News
Gauteng school war ends with Hoërskool Roodepoort principal among injured
Three learners and the principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort were injured after a violent clash with West Ridge High School learners in Johannesburg.
News
Limpopo court freezes school nutrition tender contracts over alleged fraud
The Limpopo High Court has stopped companies from carrying out school nutrition tenders after serious concerns were raised about how the contracts were awarded.
Crime
KwaMhlanga teen with prior violent history jailed for stabbing pupil to death
A 15-year-old boy is due in court next week for allegedly stabbing a 17-year-old pupil to death outside a school in KwaMhlanga, Nelspruit.
News
Gauteng school online admissions for Grade 1 and 8 now open: What parents need to know
The Gauteng school online admissions process for Grade 1 and 8 learners has officially opened, with all applications required to be completed via the provincial education website.
News
Here’s why Ascension Day is a school holiday in South Africa
Ascension Day is observed as a school holiday in South Africa due to its Christian religious significance, with various ways to honour the occasion.
News
WC Education urges parents to check if the login details are correct for online admissions
The admissions window for Grade R, 1, or 8 in 2026 closed on 15 April 2025. Since then, schools have been implementing their admission policies to select successful candidates.
Cape Town Buzz
Late online Western Cape learner applications to close on 16 May
The on-time admissions window for Grade R, 1, or 8 in 2026 closed on 15 April 2025, but the online admissions system remained open for late applications.
Crime
Mpilonhle Primary schoolgirl alleged rape: ‘Teachers failed to protect my daughter,’ mother cries
What has added to the Dullstroom community’s anger is that, according to the family, the teacher who witnessed the assault allegedly told the child not to speak about the incident.
Crime
Two suspects due in court over murder of Grade 10 Musi High School pupil
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of Grade 10 pupil Cebo Biyela following a violent altercation involving university students.
News
Learning halted at Hammanskraal school over embezzling allegations
Teaching at Tsebe-Ntlha Primary School in Hammanskraal has been disrupted as parents protest over alleged mismanagement of school funds and demand clarity on the principal’s reinstatement.
News
Rise of hand, foot and mouth disease cases spark fears of KZN school closures
KZN schools report a surge in hand, foot and mouth disease cases, with 195 infections confirmed. Health authorities urge hygiene measures to curb the outbreak.
Viral News
Parents meet over Centenary Secondary School racist brawl
Parents and education officials meet after a violent brawl at Centenary Secondary School left three students injured.
News
Grade 1 class of 2025 in pictures: Future of SA kicks off first day of school
The 2025 academic year begins with joy and excitement as South Africa’s Grade 1 pupils start their school journey.
News
Pretoria Girls High, GDE clash in court over racial discrimination report
Pretoria Girls High and the Gauteng Department of Education appear in court over a report on systemic racial discrimination. Here’s the latest on the case.
Crime
Northview High deputy principal critically injured in shooting
The shooting occurred during school hours, and emergency services rushed the victim to a nearby hospital.
News
Imekhaya Primary pupils survive horror poisoning after eating spaza shop snacks [video]
Nine pupils from Imekhaya Primary School, in Mossel Bay, fell terribly ill after sharing a packet of chips bought from a spaza shop.
![Imekhaya Primary pupils survive horror poisoning after eating spaza shop snacks [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/swisherpost-imekhaya-primary-768x512.jpg)
News
Gauteng government halts all food sales near schools over safety concerns
Gauteng is tightening safety controls and suspending food sales around schools following severe foodborne illness cases.
