South African Education Department Urges Learners to Go Back to Class

The Western Cape Education Department in South Africa has called on parents to ensure their children go back to school after the taxi strike, which on day one saw 71% of learners miss classes.

Western Cape Education MEC, David Maynier said the province cannot afford to lose one more day of teaching and learning at our schools after the taxi strike in the province.

He said that teachers would evaluate the impact the taxi strike had on their classes, which would inform catch-up plans.

He added that the department will provide the support needed to do so.

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Last week, learners, including matric pupils, were forced to go home after being chased from a taxi rank by people who threw stones at commuters hoping to catch public transport to work and school.

He said the second day of the taxi strike, 287,420 learners (24%) were absent from school, 8 August, the peak of the strike, 852,259 learners (71%) were absent from school and 11 August, the first day after the strike ended, 739,569 learners (61%) were absent from school.

Maynier said the metro education districts were most affected