The Department of Basic Education has adjusted the closing date for the schools' fourth term. Schools will now close on 14 December 2023 as the next day has been declared a public holiday.

ADJUSTMENT

The adjustment of the school holidays comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that 15 December will be a public holiday in celebration of the Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup. "We declare this to be a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sportsmen and women have shown us what is possible," Ramaphosa said soon after the Springbok won the World Cup. The department's acting Director General Dr Granville Whittle said that the 2023 school calendar was published in the government gazette No 46061 on March 18, 2022. "The 2023 calendar has 199 days for learners land 203 school days for teachers," he said. Whittle said that the schools were meant to close on Wednesday 13 December for learners and Friday 15 December for teachers. "The public holiday on 15 December 2023 will impact on the end of the fourth term. Teachers must remain for two days after the learners have closed in order to complete administrative tasks and planning for the following school year, therefore the schools will close on Tuesday 12 December for learners and Thursday 14 December 2023 for teachers. The total number of school days will be 198 for learners and 202 for teachers," concluded Whittle.