The Education Department in the Western Cape (WCED) is expecting over 1.2 million learners to return to schools today. It also says that 35 872 teachers and more than 7000 public service staff will also be making their way to schools to welcome the 2023 school year.

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School timetables for 2023 (and 2024)

Coastal and Inland timetables

Schools in coastal provinces such as the Western Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape will see Term 1 run from January 18 until March 31. This will also include a school holiday on the March 20, ahead of Human Rights Day.

Inland provinces include the Free State, Limpopo, Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga. Here, the first term will run until March 24 – also including the holiday on March 20.

All school learners will start the second term on April 12. Term 2 will include a holiday on April 28. And the term will end on June 23. Term three begins on July 18, ending on September 29. And finally, the fourth term will run from October 10 to December 13.

The public holidays for this year include: Easter weekend (April 7 – 11), Worker’s Day (May 1), Youth Day (June 16), Women’s Day (August 9), Heritage Day (the public holiday will fall on Monday, September 25).

As requested; here are the school calendars for 2024 (approved and published) 2025 (approved) and 2026 which is currently out for public comment. They Government Gazette is coming out next week inviting you to make your input. @DBE_SA pic.twitter.com/Pqk9vrNdHW

— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) January 2, 2023

Tough task in placing learners

And while many are eagerly awaiting to meet up with their friends and teachers, not all children will find themselves in a classroom.

Education MEC David Maynier said that by January 14, the Department was still in the process of placing 955 of the Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners who applied for the 2023 school year. Maynier said in a statement:

Our officials and schools have done a phenomenal job under extreme pressure to make
sure that they find a place for every child. We are leaving no stone unturned in our effort
to place every learner, and we will continue to work to finalise placement for all
remaining learners.

READ MORE: WCED ready for 2023 school year

Maynier also says that the education system is still under ‘severe admission pressure’. He adds that schools in the province are full, and will make placing additional learners who applied late, very difficult.

We have received 25 212 late applications for Grade 1 and 8 (after 15 April 2022) this
year, including 272 extremely late applications received after schools closed on 15
December 2022. We expect to receive many more once schools reopen. It is very difficult
to place learners at this extremely late stage, and parents arriving now must be prepared
for a delay in the placement of their children.

But for those who have their paperwork in order, today is a day of excitement and wonder. Smile FM visited the Floreat Primary School in Steenberg. And these little ones are all but ready to begin the school year!

It was a sea of navy, as the youths filled the playground this morning. pic.twitter.com/SsEUoqjRJr

— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) January 18, 2023

While some are excited to paint, and use their new colouring books, others are looking forward to becoming firemen, bakers and police officials. pic.twitter.com/647c6sdNiU

— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) January 18, 2023

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