K53 learners licence manuals to be taught in schools

The introduction of a K53 learners licence programme for pupils is set to kick off in Gauteng schools.

In a bid to better equip pupils with practical life skills, the Gauteng Department of Education planned to start teaching the K53 licence manual to all Grade 11 pupils.

Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi made the announcement during his budget vote speech in the Gauteng Legislature and said the programme would be implemented from next year for all of the province’s Grade 11 pupils.

The Gauteng education department’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane said the programme was to provide pupils with the theory to adequately equip them for their learners licence test.

However, Sekhonyane said the pupils would need to apply for their learners licence test independently, adding that the programme did not serve to fund the application and issuing costs of a pupil’s learners licence.

K53 learners licence project was part of the department’s Strategic Pillar 9 on Skills Development, she said.

According to Sekhonyane, the project would be implemented in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, as it has been rolling out a similar project for matriculants.

She added that the programme would be implemented following a pilot project tested on pupils in Grade 11.

“We will develop a full project plan and costing and take a regional approach to determine where the programme will be implemented first,” she said.