Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi held a media briefing to discuss the state of readiness for the 2016 academic year.
Lesufi provided an in-depth report on the state of readiness for the 2016 academic year and the state of education in Gauteng to date.
A total number of 128 539 applications for Grade One were received, 122 685 (95 percent) have been placed.
A total of 94 963 applications for Grade Eight were received, 89 731 (94 percent) have been placed.
Lesufi said the department is constructing 21 schools, of which four will be opened in January 2016.
“Furniture to the value of R59 million has been procured to be delivered to all schools.
“Further 12 schools have been converted to cater for pupils with special needs as part of our drive to provide access to education to all pupils,” said Lesufi.
Pupils in 1 636 schools across the province will in the next academic year receive a meal at school as part of our School Nutrition Programme.
“We will in the next academic year convert Grade 11 classes into paperless classrooms as part of our eLearning Solution Programme.
“We thank you for your continued support and want to assure you that you remain an important stakeholder in our quest to provide quality education for pupils in Gauteng,” he said.
