public schools

Its that time of the year when the recently appointed Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana will be addressing the nation as he tables Medium-Term Budget Policy statement today. Unpopular reactions have come to the fore with regards to the budget cuts in the Department of Basic Education (DBE). 
 

The final leg of the countdown to the final matric exams has begun, as over 700 000 full time candidates prepare to write. 

The learner dropout rate in South African public schools led to the Basic Education Minister declaring it as a crisis. The Zero Dropout Campaign has been advocating for strategies to keep learners at school, as President Cyril Ramaphosa encouraged in the National Teachers Award Ceremony last week.  

As the Department of Basic Education (DBE) hosted an event to celebrate teachers who go beyond the call of duty on Wednesday in Kempton, some teachers were being investigated for gross misconduct where learners are reportedly being victimised sexually. 

Speaking at a Teachers Award Event in Kempton, President Cyril Ramaphosa was earnest about the importance of education and how black people were deprived education in the past. Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the annual National Teaching Awards in Kempton Park on Wednesday.  
 

Hoerskool DF Malan in Bellville is again in the spotlight after the School’s Governing Body (SGB) rejected a request by a group of parents for a referendum regarding the rejection of the school’s name change. 

Equal Education wants the Department of Basic Education to step up and fix and fund public schools. They believe there is inequality when you compare  public schools to private schools and that government is not doing all they can.

Originally the Education Department said they hoped independent schools would delay their opening dates for term one, but they couldn't force them. Now the government has released regulations that specify when private schools can open - and those who have opened early will have to close again.

Grade 12 learners were the first to return to school this week, as the government rolled out the first phase of its plan to reopen schools. More grades are expected to be phased in throughout August, but some local paediatricians want the government to speed up the process. 

Many schools have lost teaching time because of covid-19. The basic education department is now trying to make the most of what's left of the academic year, but this will come at a cost for future grades. 

Staffing and spacing is the biggest challenge that public schools will face when all learners return to school on 24 August. The department is working on a plan to make sure that students are able to social distance in class. 

Grade 12 learners and teachers are back at school, following a one week break. These learners are part of the first grade to be phased in after the break and the spotlight is now on them, as the end of the school year continues to draw close. 

By Julia Chaskalson, Hopolang Selebalo and Daniel McLaren. Education spending is falling. The Covid-19 budget has slashed it further. Yet schools are essential to the Covid-19 response. South Africa spent R695 less per school learner in 2018 than it did in 2009 if education inflation is taken into account. 

President Ramaphosa's announcement to close public schools for a 4-week break ruffled a few feathers. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is no exception, as it has been in support of the reopening of schools. 

The Independent Schools Association of South Africa (Isasa) is confident that private schools will be able to manage the COVID-19 regulations due to them being well-equipped.