MARICELLE BOTHA
It’s all systems go for the Free State’s Education Department and they are ready to welcome all students and teachers today for the 2013 academic year. According to spokesperson Howard Ndaba, they have deployed senior and middle managers of the department to asses the readiness of the first day of schooling. The premier, MEC’s and mayors from around the province will visit various schools. The Free State 2012 matric class did very well – their pass rate increased by 5.4 % to 81.1%.
The St. Joseph’s Christian Brothers College in Bloemfontein was bustling this morning as learners gathered to start the new school year.
The basic education department said about a million new learners will return to schools countrywide over the next week with hundreds of thousands of Grade Ones in inland provinces to start their schooling careers today. Coastal schools open next week.
Basic education minister Angie Motshekga and deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe will visit a number of inland province schools today. The department says textbooks and stationery have been delivered, especially in Limpopo, where problems were experienced last year.
