Mbombela - The number of no-fee schools in Mpumalanga has been raised from 952 last year to 1 416 this year in a bid to support parents who lost their jobs during the global recession.
Provincial education spokesperson, Jasper Zwane, said 75 percent of the province's schools were now no-fee schools, which meant parents do not have to pay school fees.
"We were forced to increase the number to 1 416 after learning that some parents lost their jobs due to the global financial recession and can't afford to pay school fees," said Zwane.
He said the first day of the 2011 school year went smoothly on Wednesday without any major hiccups being reported.
"A number of government officials went around the province on Wednesday to see if there were any challenges on the first day of school. The report we have is that all our schools have started day one very well. Pupils have received learner material and lessons have started," said Zwane.
MEC Regina Mhaule visited Mugena Secondary School in Manyeleti near Bushbuckridge, which achieved a matric pass rate of just 39 percent last year.
"Teachers and pupils at Mugena Secondary School looked enthusiastic and ready to start the 2011 school year. We hope that the MEC's visit will encourage their Grade 12 pupils to do well this year," said Zwane.
He said some schools in Emalahleni, White River, Middelburg and Piet Retief had to start lessons late on Wednesday because pupils were still being registered.
Some 252 schools are also still under renovation after being declared unsafe environments after recent heavy storms.
"Contractors are on site renovating them. Most of them will be ready before the end of this week," he said.
MEC for safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe, visited E.S Malele High School in Bushbuckridge to give support to pupils and teachers on their first day.
Shongwe's spokesperson, Joseph Mabuza, said although the school needed a good clean and some gardening work, the MEC was happy with the overall turnout of pupils and teachers for the first school day.
"Lessons started as expected on Wednesday, but the school was dirty and it looked like a jungle, so the MEC instructed the Bushbuckridge local municipality to deploy people to cut the grass at the school," said Mabuza.
