According to MEC, Wendy Matsemela, of Education in the North West Province, Grade 12 learners should expect organized camps by the Department of Education in the province. The Department says that it will be doing this in an effort to try an make sure that learners complete their curriculum. This, the MEC said, will be done with the already budgeted for resources.

MEC Matsemela confirmed that the Grade 12 curriculum, unlike the other eleven grades, will not be reduced. It seems an outlet such as school camps will serve the department’s attempt at finishing the curriculum, considering the times lost due to the coronavirus.

On Sunday, 07 June 2020, Minister of Basic Education, in her address to the South African schooling population about the readiness to reopening schools in level 3 of the lockdown, confirmed that schools will reopen on Monday, 08 June 2020. The department confirmed that they are expecting a 13.4% of the total learner population at schools on Monday. “We can now say with confidence that about 95% of our schools have been ably provided with the COVID-19 related imperatives.” The Minister said.

According to the department, all the 1570 schools in the North West Province are ready to open on schedule. The province makes up almost 7% of the total learner population in South Africa. The North West Province is expecting 65 000 grade 7 and 37 000 grade 12 learners,to be back at school on Monday to mark the reopening of schools in the province. Premier Mokgoro has called on all communities to not disrupt schooling and to report any burglary in schools to relevant authorities. “We recently had a fruitful engagement between the Department of Education, Department of Community Safety and Transport Management and the South African National Small Bus Operators Council (SANSBOC) to ensure that the learner transport bus operators are also ready for the return to school of Grade 7 and 12 learners this coming Monday, 08 June 2020 in line with the announcement made by the Minister of Basic Education.” Said the Premier.

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According to the North West Department of Education, Premier, Prof Tebogo Job Mokgoro and MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela are scheduled to monitor the reopening of schools in three schools around Greater Taung region, in the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, amidst a long break to the novel Coronarivus pandemic. The delegation is expected to visit amongst other school Lokgabeng Primary School, Molale Primary School and Reivilo High School. The visit is expected monitor the availability of COVID-19 PPE to schools which is inclusive of infrared thermometers, cloth masks and face shields as well as the delivery of sanitizers, and hand soaps. The department of Education in the North West Province has assured parents and other stakeholders that prior to the reopening schools received deep cleaning by various stakeholders and volunteer to ensure a hygienic environment for teaching and learning.

Minister Angie Motshekga is now looking ahead and working towards the phased in reopening of other grades in the near future. The minister’s department is expecting the next phasing in to include a 52% of the learner population and the announced, and anticipated, date is July the 6th, and the rest of the learners will join the lot sometime in August.

Parents have also been encouraged by the department to apply for home schooling in instances where the parent is uncomfortable with sending their children back to school under any COVID19 circumstances.

-The VIP Team

-NW PCC

-NW Education

-DBE

-GCIS