Gauteng ready for new school year; emphasis on e-learning
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said at a media briefing on June 12 that he was pleased to announce that the provincial education system is geared to start with teaching and learning on January 13.
Lesufi said that most learners that require admission, especially in Grade One and Eight have been placed.
“Learning and teaching material have been delivered to the majority of schools; additional furniture has been delivered where it is most needed; several new and refurbished schools including schools for learners with special needs will open their doors and transport and nutrition will be provided to those learners that deserve support,” said Lesufi.
He said the class of 2016 matric learners will have the advantage of starting the school year on an e-learning platform.
“The plan this year is to roll out the e-learning/paperless classroom to Grade 11 classes in all township schools and add schools that obtained a 100 per cent matric pass rate.
“Furthermore, a school of specialisation will be launched in Soweto to mark a milestone for these types of schools.
“However, the department still faces enormous pressure to place 16 864 learners that have not yet been placed in a school.
Lesufi said school infrastructure is lagging, adding that the demand for spaces and furniture backlogs will not be eliminated in time for the start of the 2016 academic year.
“The challenges can be attributed to a number of factors including a high demand for spaces due to inward migration and changing demographic patterns, development of new residential complexes and informal settlements and parents seeking placement from independent to public schools due to financial constraints,” said Lesufi.
* A total number of 138 820 applications for Grade One were received in Gauteng and 116 249 (84 per cent) have been placed.
For high schools, a total of 101 592 applications for Grade Eight were received and 87 015 (86 per cent) have been placed.
