Angie Motshekga

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga.
Image source: Flickr

2021 school year: Learners expected back on 27 January

The Department of Basic Education said the sector is ready for the 2021 school year. All provinces have also finalised admission processes.

Angie Motshekga

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga.
Image source: Flickr

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, on Thursday 17 December, said the sector is ready for the 2021 school year. Schools are expected to reopen on 25 January for teachers and learners are expected back two days later on 27 January. 

MAINTAINING BALANCE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR 2021 SCHOOL YEAR 

According to Motshekga, all provinces have finalised admission processes. 

“District offices will be available to assist parents where the need arises. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the DBE has been monitoring the state of provinces on a weekly basis to ensure that provinces have systems in place to cope under the pandemic; and to provide support, where support is needed, to ensure smooth reopening and running of schools,” she said. 

Motshekga said the department will maintain the delicate balance of health and safety in schools. The Director General will also be working during the festive season to put final touches to the already existing plan for the 2021 school year.

SCHOOL READINESS 

Motshekga said the main focus of monitoring the 2021 school reopening, will be to ensure school readiness for the 2021 school year; and that blockages are addressed on time. 

The 2021 School Readiness Monitoring, through provincial one-on-one meetings, has focused on the provincial state of readiness on the following areas:

  • Health and Safety;
  • School admissions;
  • Learner Drop-out;
  • Provision of Teachers;
  • Provision of LTSMs;
  • Curriculum Management and Assessment;
  • Roll-out of Information, Communication and Technologies
  • (ICTs);
  • National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP);
  • Provision of infrastructure, with emphasis on water, sanitation;
  • Provision of learner transport; as well as
  • School Safety; and Psychosocial Support.

EDUCATION SECTOR TO RECEIVE 300 000 YOUNG EMPLOYEES 

In the New Year, the basic education sector will receive 300 000 young employees in schools. This is part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme to create 200 000 employment opportunities for Education Assistants, and 100 000 for General School Assistants. This will be accomplished through the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

The BEEI seeks to address COVID-19 academic disruption, as well as addressing some of the lingering systemic challenges. 

“Education Assistants will support teachers in the classroom, and provide extra support to learners. General School Assistants will help schools to comply with COVID-19 protocols while ensuring that teaching and learning take place in a safe, secure and hygienic environment,” said Motshekga. 

The 300 000 employment opportunities were targeted at young people to strengthen capacity in schools at least until the end of March 2021.

More than 65 % of the recruits have been captured and the month of December and January will be used for training and induction. They will work in areas that include ICTs, Reading, Mathematics, Robotics and coding. Different organisations including the SETAs have come on board to support the initiative.