IT’S back to school for millions of pupils today after about a month-long winter holiday.
Most provinces are expecting smooth running as schools open for the third term. Schools in the country closed for the winter break on June 26. Gauteng education spokesperson Nanagolo Leopeng said: “We are not expecting any disruptions when the children go back to school today . Teacher unions, school governing bodies and the department are committed to quality learning and teaching. “The department is working with the department of health to prevent the spread of the N1H1 flu among pupils. A team will be deployed to schools in informal settlements and where there is overcrowding.” Mpumalanga education spokes-person Jasper Zwane said: “With the pupil transport having been moved from the education department to roads and transport, we believe this problem will now be sorted out.” Pupil transport in the province has had problems related to fraud, which led to the suspension of services a few years ago. Last month Premier David Mabuza transferred the service to the department of transport. Limpopo education spokesperson Ndo Mangala said both pupils and teachers were ready for the third term. Mangala said teachers would “focus more on gearing the pupils to the end of the year exams and finishing and revising the syllabus before the start of the exams”. KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Senzo Mchunu said: “We expect schools will run smoothly. We will be visiting schools in the province to outline our expectations and see how many still need intervention. “We encourage all matriculants to keep working hard. Teachers should also give their best to improve the pass rate.”
Sibongile Mashaba, Riot Hlatshwayo and Alex Matlala
