The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, will launch the Alice Student Village Phase 2 Student Housing Scheme at the Alice campus of the University of Fort Hare. This is one of the biggest student housing projects to be completed thus far and it has completely transformed the University of Fort Hare’s Alice Campus. The project was completed in March 2021 and comprises of 1450 new student beds and a student Centre. In total, the Alice Student Village (phase 1 and Phase 2) now comprises of 2050 student beds in clusters and two self-standing blocks. The project was funded by DHET and the DBSA. The media is therefore is encouraged to join the Minister throughout the programme, as follows: Monday, 31 May 2021Venue: University of Fort Hare Alice CampusTime: 14h00 The entourage will visit the Fort Hare heritage sites from at 12h00. The formal program will commence at 14h00 and conclude with a media briefing at 16h30. A tour will also be arranged for members of the…

The Department of Basic Education has issued Directions that provide clarity on the date of the return of all learners in primary schools. The Government Gazette released on Friday also addresses issues regarding the suspension of contact sports in schools.Basic Education Minister Mrs Angie Motshekga signed the Directions on Friday.In terms of the Directions primary school learners (Grades R to 7) must return to the daily attendance and traditional timetabling model from 26 July 2021. This provided that the risk adjusted differentiated strategy is implemented.Based on the risk adjusted differentiated strategy, schools for learners with special education needs (Grades R to 12) must also return to the daily attendance and traditional timetabling model from 26 July 2021. According to the current 2021 School Calendar the Second Term ends on 9 July and schools will reopen for the Third Term on 26 July 2021.A risk adjusted differentiated strategy means an approach to school attendance that is determined by the direction the COVID-19 pandemic is taking in the district municipality and country.The Gazette…

The Council of Education Ministers has taken a decision to suspend all contact sports in schools with immediate effect. The decision was taken in a virtual meeting held this morning.Non-contact sport training in schools can continue provided that all social distancing, hygiene and safety measures are observed and that there is no physical contact between participants during training.In 2021, after the reopening of schools and consultations with education stakeholders, the DBE gazetted directions allowing non-contact sport, sports related activities and school-based art and cultural activities to resume without spectators, subject to adherence of safety measure.Further, on 12th February 2021, Minister of Basic Education Mrs Angie Motshekga gazetted directions on school sports and extra mural activities, non-contact sport, sports related activities and school-based art and cultural activities to resume subject to health and safety protocols. During the last week of Term 1, school sports activity related COVID-19 outbreaks in Gauteng Province were reported and have been gradually increasing in Term 2.It is evident that despite following the protocols as guided by the…

For immediate release 14 May 2021 The Gauteng Education MEC, Mr. Panyaza Lesufi will on Friday, 14 May 2021, visit Laerskool Theresapark in Pretoria to meet with School Governing Body and School Management Team members. This follows the widespread circulation of video on social media on Thursday, 13 May 2021, where the principal of Laerskool Theresapark was violently thrown out of her office, allegedly, by a group of parents. MEC Lesufi will first visit the principal at her home since she has been booked off for seven days after consultation with a doctor. Thereafter, he will proceed to the school to hold a meeting with the SGB and SMT. Media may attend meeting with SGB & SMT as follows: Date: Friday, 14 May 2021Time: 16:00 PMVenue: Laerskool TheresaparkHartbees Ave, Witfontein 301-Jr, Akasia, 0155 For more information, contact the Gauteng Department of Education’s Spokesperson, Steve Mabona on 072 574 3860. Issued by the Gauteng Department of Education For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Provincial Government's portal at www.gauteng.gov.za

CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 12 MAY 2021 Mbombela, today, the Mpumalanga Department of Education together with the South African Police Services closed down Everest College situated in the Mbombela Circuit, Ehlanzeni District. This closure comes after the Department learnt that the College was established, maintained and operated without being registered with the Department of Education. The operation of this so-called college is in violation of the South African Schools’ Act (SASA) Number 84 of 1996 as amended which clearly states that: "No person shall establish and maintain an independent school unless it is registered by the Head of Department.It further states that, any person who contravenes this, is guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period of up to three months." The Department thus advises parents of all affected children to apply for admission in the nearby schools and that they will be assisted accordingly. The Department will continue with this drive to close illegal Independent Schools throughout the week.…

The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule will tomorrow, Tuesday 11 May 2021 attend the official launch of the DSTV Netball Challenge, an inter- school’ competition in partnership with Netball South Africa (NSA), South African Schools Netball (SASN), MultiChoice and SuperSport.This extensive partnership will contribute immensely to the growth and development of girl learners while forming a critical component in the overall implementation of school sports programmes, particularly netball for young girl learners.Members of the Media are invited to attend the launch as follows:Date: Tomorrow, Tuesday 11 May 2021Time: 11h00Venue: Hoerskool Florida, 64 Louis Botha Drive, Florida Park, Roodepoort, JohannesburgISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION

30 APRIL 2021 MEC MAJUBA TO VISIT AND PROMOTE THE VODACOM e- LEARNING PLATFORMS AT  NDHLAMAKHOSI SECONDARY SCHOOL ON MONDAY  03 MAY 2021 In line with the 2021 school calendar, schools will reopen for the second quarter on 03 May and close on 09 July 2021 allowing 50 actual school days for teaching and learning programmes.  As part of the school re-opening programme, the MEC for Education, Mr Bonakele Majuba will visit Ndhlamakhosi Secondary School in Dwarsloop, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality to monitor proceedings and to ensure compliance to COVID-19 regulations.  The MEC visit to the school is scheduled to take place on Monday, 03 May 2021 from 08H00.  MEC Majuba will use the occasion to welcome back teachers, learners and non teaching staff after a well deserved school break.  He will be accompanied by the leadership of Vodacom who will in turn donate school bags to learners as well as promote their e-learning platforms.  Ndhlamakhosi Secondary School has 331 learners  and 12 educators, 16 classrooms and is one of the participating schools in the…

The Limpopo Department of Education is saddened by the tragic death of six learners from Jim Chavani Secondary School in the Vhembe East Education District. The learners were killed when a bakkie they had hitch hiked on their way back from school lost control and hit a house on Friday, 16 April 2021. The accident happened at Ximixoni village at Malamulele. The Department of Transport and Community Safety reports that the driver of the van was rushed to a local hospital in a critical state. Two other passengers sustained serious injuries while three managed to escape with minor injuries. MEC Boshielo expressed her sorrow upon hearing of the tragic accident and said: "We are deeply heartbroken and distraught. This is an unfathomable loss and one that is hard to comprehend given the circumstances that we are still mourning the heartbreaking loss of  Lufuno Mavhunga of Mbilwi Secondary School. For the families affected by this loss, the pain is too much to bear and we would like all of us to be united in this…

The North West Department of Education received with shock and total disgust, the news of the bullying of learner Lufuno Mavhunga who later took her own life. On behalf of the North West Department of Education and the entire schooling community, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Lufuno Mavhunga, the Limpopo Department of Education, MEC Polly Boshielo, your schools and the people of Limpopo Province. The MEC for Education in the North West, Ms. Mmaphefo Matsemela is deeply touched and troubled by the bullying incident which led to the unfortunate demise of a brilliant young mind, Lufuno Mavhunga, who still had her whole life ahead of her. MEC Matsemela strongly condemns incidents of violence and bullying, with the emphasis that bullying does not have a place in schools of the North West Province. The MEC has called on all learners who are suffering in silence to speak out. “I want to encourage all learners who silently experience bullying in any of our schools…

Teachers’ Safety and Security in South African Schools handbook was developed by the educators for educators. The handbook aims to bring to the fore, the plight educators face daily about their rights and safety being eroded, and their dignity and respect being compromised in the schools. Click the below link to download a copy. https://www.sace.org.za/assets/documents/uploads/sace_53049-2021-04-16-SACE_Handbook_aw-web.pdf HandsOffOurTeachers