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The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, welcomes learners and teachers back to school for the start of the third term today. We hope that both learners and educators are well rested after the winter break and are ready to put their heads down as we push through towards the second half of the school year.

With only 80 School days left before the start of the 2018 NSC Examinations, the final countdown has truly begun and the Minister urges learners to use the remaining days productively to apply themselves diligently in what is the final push towards the culmination of 12 years of schooling. “These are the final moments as you approach the end of your 12 year journey in the education system with the start of the NSC Examinations on 22 October, I am confident if you apply yourself to your studies every day you will be able to make yourself and the education sector proud’’ said Motshekga.

The Department has received Provincial reports indicating their state of readiness ahead of the third academic term of the 2018 calendar including the North West which, under the administration of, Mr Nkhono Johannes Mohlala whose core focus will be on stabilising teaching and learning activities in the province, which is the core business of the department. The Department of Basic Education remains confident that the intervention team led by the Administrator will deliver a more stabilised environment in which teaching and learning can flourish.

As learners return to school, the nation gets set to celebrate the centenary of a Global Icon, Tata Nelson Mandela on 18 July 2018. As part of the celebrations the Department of Basic Education will be participating in a number of Nelson Mandela Day events. It has partnered with various stakeholders including the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the French Embassy, Nestle South Africa and Woolworths to celebrate the global icon in a fitting way which will see learners and education benefiting from the contributions of generous South Africans.

“I would like to encourage South Africans, Corporates and Individuals alike to devote their 67 Minutes as well as their resources to contributing positively to the education sector in South Africa’’ said Motshekga

Issued by Department of Basic Education