Matric learners have recently finished their final year examinations, however, they are still anxiously awaiting their results. Marking will occur between 4 and 22 January 2021.
The 2020 Grade 12 results are set to be released on 22 February 2021.
Motshekga has assured that the Basic Education Department is ready for schools to reopen on 25 January for teachers and 27 January for learners.
In her briefing, she drew attention to the areas of concentration for the 2021 academic year at schools. These areas include health and safety, provision of teachers, learner drop out, school admissions, curriculum management and assessment, provision of LTMs, national school nutrition program, communication and technologies, provision of learner transport, and psycho-social support.
To comment more on this Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), spoke to SABC news.
Manuel believes that once rumours of the leak started, the department should have tightened their security to ensure that no more leaks took place.
The audit of the examination system should have been done a long time ago, however, the department is pleased that it is taking place and knows that the audit will help pinpoint the weak areas and improve them, which will be beneficial for the following matric learners.
Due to the country experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infections, Naptosa has put regulations in place to ensure the safety of learners and teachers. These regulations include a rotational system of learners returning to school which will include a 50% return to school.
Manuel says that Naptosa is concerned about the curriculum, loss of teaching time, catch-up period, the fact that not all schools have received the annual teaching plans and whether the schools have enough PPE for when the school year begins.
With regards to schools receiving the annual teaching plans and the provision of PPE, Naptosa believes that the department needs to up their game with the provision of these necessities.
Naptosa will be checking up that schools have received their teaching plans and PPE.
