Lundon Weale gets straight to work in her Grade 1 class on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary school in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartney
There were tears, excitement and eagerness as some pupils in South Africa started school on Wednesday.
Other children seemed to be happy to be returning to class in 2022, as pupils in inland provinces went back to school on Wednesday.
Ivan, Annabelle and Armin Havenga, triplets at Laerskool Skuilkrans at their first day back at school in grade 7, 12 January 2022, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques NellesTwin sisters Rine’ and Mila Botha at their first day back at Laerskool Skuilkrans, 12 January 2022, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques NellesSeven-year-old twins Riley, left, and Ethan Jones prepare ahead of their first day of Grade 2, 11 January 2022, at their home in Roodepoort. Picture: Michel BegaSeven-year-old twins Riley, left, and Ethan Jones prepare ahead of their first day of Grade 2, 11 January 2022, at their home in Roodepoort. Picture: Michel BegaGrade 1 pupil Khumo Mogagule as class starts on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartneyGrade 1 pupil Monique Gouws is ready to start class on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartneyThato Lekalakala takes a selfie with mom before his grade 1 class starts on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartneyGrade 1 pupil Tristan Saunders has a sneaky lollipop in class on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartneyTheadora-Ann Van Der Lith says bye to her mom in her grade 1 class on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartneyGrade 1 pupil Khumo Mogagule is not quite ready to leave her mother as class starts on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartneyLundon Weale gets straight to work in her grade 1 class on the first day of school at Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, 12 January 2022. Picture: Neil McCartneyChildren arrive for the first day of school at Uitsig Primary in Centurion, 12 January 2022. Picture: Jacques NellesChildren have their temperature checked as they arrive for the first day of school at Uitsig Primary in Centurion, 12 January 2022. Picture: Jacques NellesStudents back in class on their first day of school at the Olievenhoutbosch Primary School, 12 January 2022. Picture: Jacques NellesStudents back in class on their first day of school at the Olievenhoutbosch Primary School, 12 January 2022. Picture: Jacques Nelles
However, it was not all plain sailing.
The basic education department still has to place 400,000 children for the 2022 school year.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Tuesday 57 schools in Gauteng had been vandalised or needed urgent attention. Some were storm-damaged.
During the briefing, deputy director-general for planning Simone Geyer said many of the 400 000 pupils remained unplaced due to late applications, which delayed the registration process, the difficulty of planning how many pupils needed placement and parents’ preference of English-medium schools.
