South Africa’s Basic Education Minister Clarifies Key Decisions As Schools Reopen

Basic Education Minister in South Africa, Angie Motshekga, says that the arrangements meant to protect the school sector will remain in place, as schools in inland provinces open their doors to learners.

Schools in the coastal provinces of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal will reopen on January 19, 2022.

The situation will remain the same with regards to schooling, especially rotational time-tabling where it was applicable when schools closed in 2021.

Motshekga also sought to clarify the pass requirements for the National Senior Certificate.

According to information made available, she said if a candidate gets an aggregate of 30% in all subjects written, the candidate will surely fail.

Motshekga went on to say that the sector is working hard to address infrastructure challenges at public schools.

She said under the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative programme, 286 complete new schools have been completed, replacing old schools constructed of inappropriate materials.

She added that water supply projects at 1,156 schools and electricity supply at 373 schools were also completed.