As learners across the Western Cape prepare to return to the classroom after the winter school holiday, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has appealed to parents and guardians to ensure children are back at school on time and ready for the demands of the third term.

Learners have been on their winter break since 26 June 2026 and are due to return to school on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The department says the third term is one of the busiest and most important periods of the academic year, especially for Grade 12 learners preparing for their final National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

The WCED has encouraged parents to support their children by ensuring they attend school every day, ready to learn.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says the third term plays a significant role in preparing learners for the remainder of the academic year.

“We hope that all learners are ready and prepared to tackle the third school term. This is an important term, especially for our matric learners who will sit for their mock exams which will assist them in preparing for their final NSC exams which are due to start in mid-October. We appeal to all parents of all grades to ensure their children are at school on time, prepared for the lessons ahead and show kindness towards their peers and teachers.”