South Africa
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has moved quickly to set the record straight on false reports spreading across social media about changes to school reopening dates. In a media release issued on 11 October 2025, the department confirmed that all public schools will open as planned on Monday, 13 October 2025, marking the start of the fourth and final term of the year. This comes after a short mid-term break from 4 to 12 October, following the end of the third term on 3 October.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube stressed the shared duty in protecting the education system, saying: “Education is a shared national responsibility. False information disrupts schools, confuses parents, and undermines the hard work of our teachers and learners. We appeal to every South African to be vigilant, to verify before sharing, and to help us protect the academic calendar and the upcoming National Senior Certificate examinations.”
The DBE’s statement highlights the need for calm and focus during this key period, especially with the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams just days away. It calls on communities, parents, and civic organisations to ensure schools stay safe, peaceful, and free from protests or disruptions. “The Department further calls on communities, parents, and civic organisations to play their part in ensuring that schools remain safe, peaceful, and free from protest or disruption during this crucial period. Every learner deserves a stable environment in which to learn and prepare for their examinations,” Minister Gwarube added.
Addressing the Spread of Misinformation
The latest wave of fake news suggested shifts in reopening dates for the fourth term, causing unnecessary worry among parents and learners. The DBE condemned these deliberate attempts to mislead, noting they create panic and confusion. “The Department condemns the deliberate spread of misinformation, which creates unnecessary panic and confusion among parents and learners,” the release states.
To fight this, the department urges the public to rely only on official channels for updates. These include the DBE website (www.education.gov.za), verified social media pages, and provincial education departments. “We remind the public to rely only on official DBE communication channels including our website (www.education.gov.za), verified social media pages, and provincial education departments for credible and verified updates.”
This is not the first time such hoaxes have surfaced in 2025. Back in June, a viral article from a known fake news site claimed the entire school calendar had been “revamped,” prompting the DBE to issue a strong denial. The false report ignored the official gazetting process, where calendars are drafted and finalised years in advance – the 2025 version was published in early 2023 after public comments in 2022. Similarly, in September, rumours of an “extended September holiday” circulated on social media and dubious websites, alleging adjustments to balance teaching days and public holidays. The DBE dismissed these as “pure fiction,” confirming no such break existed and that the third term ended on 3 October as scheduled.
These patterns show how misinformation often peaks around holidays or exam times, sometimes mimicking official announcements to seem real. During the COVID-19 years, similar fake updates caused widespread alarm, leading to calls for better digital literacy. The DBE has since ramped up efforts to debunk such claims swiftly, using social media and press releases to reach families directly
Key Dates and the Final Stretch Before Exams
With just 10 days left before the NSC exams begin on 21 October 2025, the fourth term is a critical time for revision and preparation. The exams will run until 28 November, testing over 700,000 matrics nationwide in subjects like mathematics, physical sciences, and languages. Results are expected in mid-January 2026.
The DBE is calling on all learners, especially the Class of 2025, to stay focused and make full use of available support. This includes revision materials, radio lessons on stations like SABC Education, catch-up sessions, and school-based study camps. “The Department calls upon all learners particularly the Class of 2025 to stay focused and make the most of the support provided through revision materials, radio lessons, catch-up sessions, and school-based study camps,” the release notes.
For the term itself, learners will attend classes until 10 December, with teachers handling admin duties until 12 December. There are no public holidays in this period, allowing for uninterrupted learning. Private schools, while often following the same structure, may have slight variations – parents should check with their institutions. The full 2025 calendar, unchanged since its gazetting, divides the year into four terms: first from January to March, second April to June, third July to October, and fourth as above.
Commitment to a Smooth End to the Academic Year
The DBE remains firm in its promise to wrap up the 2025 academic year without hitches. “The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a smooth conclusion to the 2025 academic year. From infrastructure readiness and learner support materials to psychosocial assistance and teacher preparation, all systems are in place to ensure that teaching and learning resume seamlessly on Monday 13 October,” the statement assures.
This includes ongoing programmes like the National School Nutrition Programme, which provides daily meals to millions, and psychosocial support for learners facing exam stress. In recent years, the department has boosted mental health resources, partnering with organisations to offer counselling and stress management workshops. For matrics, extra focus is on high-stakes subjects, with free online resources available via the DBE’s e-portal.
The department also extends thanks to parents, teachers, learners, and school management teams for their role in upholding values like commitment, resilience, and discipline. “As we move into this critical period of the school year, the Department extends heartfelt appreciation to parents, teachers, learners, and school management teams who continue to uphold the values of commitment, resilience, and discipline that define our education sector.”
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