By Tamlyn Canham
The Department of Basic Education has shared new details on what the 2021 academic year will look like.
Scores of learners are expected to return to the classroom on Monday, February 15, after an increase in COVID-19 cases caused a delay in the start of the first term.
Classes will run until April 23. Here’s a look at the rest of the school year.
- 15 February – 23 April
- 3 May – 9 July
- 26 July – 1 October
- 11 October – 15 December
Despite the delays, learners will complete 192 school days by the end of the year – a few days short of the normal yearly average.
Educators gear up for new school term
Teachers returned to school on February 1 to prepare for the start of the academic year.
The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) conducted a study in January about the state of readiness at schools.
It received 7 000 responses – which it said represented 34% of schools nationally.
Around 40% of respondents said their school did not have enough hand sanitizer and surface cleaners.
Nationally, 20% of schools reported that they did not have enough masks.
“The level of confidence that schools can comply with COVID protocols is low in all provinces, and in five provinces less than half of the principals reported that there is confidence in being ready to comply with COVID protocols,” the report stated.
Naptosa stressed that educators want to work but want to do so under the correct safety protocols.
Education Minister Angie Motshekga released a video on Tuesday, explaining why it is important for children to be in school.
It’s a few days until schools open. Minister Angie Motshekga explains why it is important for children to be in school.#February15@ElijahMhlanga @ReginahMhaule @HubertMweli pic.twitter.com/r3zfgSXdfe
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) February 9, 2021
Click here to view the amended school calendar.
