KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has welcomed the smooth start to the 2023 academic year as over 2.8 million learners across the province went back to school today.
Premier Dube-Ncube accompanied Minister Angie Motshekga and MEC of Educations Mbali Frazer to monitor the return of learners to schools in Umlazi, Parlock near Newlands West and La Mercy as coastal schools in the country reopened.
Speaking during the school monitoring visits Premier Dube-Ncube said: “We have more than 2.8 million learners in schools across KwaZulu-Natal. From this year the province will start piloting the online registration for schools in the province to reduce the number of parents waiting in queues to enrol their children because we did not know how many learners would be coming to schools so that all learners are enrolled within the stipulated timeframe.”
Premier Dube-Ncube emphasised that quality education is an apex priority for the Provincial Government and expressed satisfaction that learning, and teaching began in earnest on the first day of the school calendar.
“The minor challenges experienced in some schools are being urgently addressed by the Department of Education. We were very encouraged by the active citizenry demonstrated by the community and members of the governing bodies in the schools we have visited. We also commend the dedication shown by educators. As the provincial government, we are fully committed to ensuring access to quality education therefore it is critical that teaching and learning begins from the first day of the school year,” concluded Premier Dube-Ncube.
The opening of over 6 000 schools, which include admissions as well as the delivery of learning and teaching support materials began before the reopening of schools. The process of admissions for the 2023 academic year started early in 2022 when admissions were opened on 1 March 2022 and closed on 30 September 2022. A total of 209 665 learners have been admitted in Grade 1 and 237 987 learners admitted in Grade 8.
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Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government