The Department of Basic Education has debunked a widely circulated article and social media post claiming that the 2025 school calendar has been "revamped," labelling the content as entirely false.
The viral post alleged that new term dates had been introduced and suggested that “South African students rejoice” over the purported changes. However, the department has confirmed that no such adjustments have been made to the official calendar and has urged the public to rely only on verified government sources for accurate information.
The misleading article, which failed multiple AI-generated content detection tests, also featured a recycled stock image from 2015, originally sourced from the photo website Alamy. The image—showing overcrowded rural classrooms—has been used in numerous legitimate education reports, adding to the post’s deceptive appearance.
Officials warn that the spread of such misinformation undermines public trust and creates unnecessary confusion among learners, parents, and educators. The department reiterates that any updates to the school calendar will be communicated through official channels only.