Viral video: Netizens defend SA over having longest school year
A viral TikTok video has revealed that SA is one of three countries with the longest school year. Here’s the list.
Most SA schools started their academic year this week, 15 January 2025, and the country has one of the longest school years globally, according to a viral TikTok video.
This year’s academic calendar shows that the school year will be 200 days long. Many South Africans shared hilarious responses to the video, with most quick to defend their country.
SA ONE OF THREE COUNTRIES WITH THE LONGEST SCHOOL YEAR
A viral TikTok video shared by the app user @jacobmhoff, has garnered over six million views. The short clip, shared in mid-December 2024, states that South Africa is number three on the list of countries with the longest school year.
Hoff says in the video: “Number three is South Africa. Now they go to school for 200 days a year.”
He then compares the number to how long the days are in America, revealing kids go to school there for 180 days a year. So SA kids go to school about a month longer compared to those in the U.S. Hoff continued and asked: “What do you learn over there in South Africa for an extra month?”
SOUTH AFRICANS RESPOND TO VIDEO
Many South Africans were quick to defend their beloved country and flooded the comment section with reasons why our school year is 200 days long. One of the top commenters @sharlenec1 got over 30 000 likes for her response and several comments from fellow TikTok users.
She commented: “That why South Africa knows the difference between a continent and a country.”
Many South Africans agreed and some stated that they knew most Americans don’t know the difference.
Another person said: “I knew South Africa had to be there. I just knew this wasn’t normal.”
Others further commented in the country’s defense:
“They teach us Geography and common sense in South Africa in those extra 20 days.”
“In South Africa our test papers are actual test papers not multiple choice. We also learning that the USA is not that united.”
“Ah this explains the American iq problem.”
“That’s why South Africans are smart.”
“In South Africa we learn how to mind our business.”
OTHER COUNTRIES ON THE LIST
The other two countries on the list were Mexico in second place with also a total of 200 school days. Number one was South Korea and the video reveals that the country has 220 school days in a year.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN SOUTH AFRICA?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article. Or emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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