DBE considers return of all primary learners back to school
By Chulumanco Mahamba
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Johannesburg - The Department of Basic Education (DBE) was expected to make a decision on the full-time return of primary school learners in due course, as schools open for the second term this week.
It was back to school for teachers and learners across the country on Monday for the first day of the second term of the year.
The return to school is happening in the same week that the Council of Education ministers, which include Minister Angie Motshekga, Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule and all MECs of Education, will hold a two-day meeting on Thursday and Friday to deliberate key issues affecting the basic education sector. The discussions will include the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sector.
KZN Education Department tackles teacher shortages
By James Mahlokwane
Nonhlanhla Hlatshwayo and James Mahlokwane
DURBAN - THE Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal has moved to address teacher shortages, and ordered that 700 teachers – who were identified as being surplus – to report to schools that need more staff.
The department said yesterday that it had found that 700 of 961 teachers, who had been identified as surplus in their current schools in terms of the Post Provision Norm (PPN), had not reported for duty at the schools which had shortages. The department said they had a meeting with teachers’ unions on Friday on the matter.
33 days ago
JOHANNESBURG - The basic education department on Sunday said it was mulling over the possibility of returning all pupils at primary school level to attend daily.
The department said this may be on the cards in the second term due to the severe learning disruptions suffered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said a proposal now being considered by all partners in the education sector.
The Council of Education Ministers is expected to discuss the matter this week.
In the meantime, Mhlanga said schools would continue with the rotational approach as they are set to reopen tomorrow.
South African Learners may be Back at School Full-Time Sooner than We Think
Apr 21, 2021
The Department of Education has admitted they’re pushing to have schools bring kids back full time.
According to News 24, departmental spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the impact of the pandemic has been far worse than expected; a government workshop that took place this week over two days confirmed that schools may only recover by the year 2030. Setting the education system and its learners up for 10 years of turmoil.
The forecast has urged the department and various stakeholders to assess solutions to the problem including kids returning to school on a full-time basis.
We want to be part of the debate about 100% school attendance â Naptosa
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The National Professional Teachersâ Organisation SA (Naptosa) says teacher unions expect to be part of the meetings that will discuss the possible return of school pupils to 100% daily attendance.
The Department of Basic Educationâs (DBE) director-general Mathanzima Mweli is meeting with education provincial heads at annual two-day workshops where they discussed all issues affecting education, DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said.
He confirmed that as part of that meeting, the schoolâs attendance would also be discussed.
In an interview with television news channel eNCA, Mhlanga said the DBE was not the only one calling for full-time attendance. But said it would do so responsibly.