As the school bells rings to mark the start of the third school term, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has welcomed back learners and teachers to schools across the country.
“The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, welcomes learners and teachers back to school for the start of the third term today. We hope that both learners and educators are well rested after the winter break and are ready to put their heads down as we push through towards the second half of the school year,” said the Department of Basic Education.
The department said with only 80 school days left before the start of the 2018 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, the final countdown has truly begun, with the Minister urging learners to use the remaining days productively to apply themselves diligently in what is the final push towards the culmination of 12 years of schooling.
“These are the final moments as you approach the end of your 12-year journey in the education system with the start of the NSC examinations on 22 October. I am confident if you apply yourself to your studies every day, you will be able to make yourself and the education sector proud,” Motshekga said.
The department has received provincial reports indicating their state of readiness ahead of the third academic term of the 2018 calendar, including the North West, whose core focus will be on stabilising teaching and learning activities in the province, which is the core business of the department.
The department said it remains confident that the intervention team led by the administrator will deliver a more stabilised environment in which teaching and learning can flourish.
The reopening of schools on Tuesday comes a day before what would have been democratic South Africa’s founding President Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday.
“As learners return to school, the nation gets set to celebrate the centenary of a global icon, Tata Nelson Mandela on 18 July 2018. As part of the celebrations, the Department of Basic Education will be participating in a number of Nelson Mandela Day events.”
It has partnered with various stakeholders, including the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the French Embassy, Nestle South Africa and Woolworths to celebrate the global icon in a fitting way which will see learners and education benefiting from the contributions of generous South Africans.
“I would like to encourage South Africans, corporates and individuals alike to devote their 67 Minutes as well as their resources to contributing positively to the education sector in South Africa,’’ said Motshekga. - SAnews.gov.za
