[ad_1]
Basic education minister Angie Motshekga says the country’s schools will reopen later than usual in 2021, with an official calendar to be released before the end of the week.
At a press conference on Thursday (October 1), Motshekga said the reopening date is January 25, 2021.
“We are fully aware that the country needs the school calendar for effective planning and we have worked hard to ensure that it is done correctly, taking into account the disruptions that occurred in 2020.
“We will have to carry some of the work out of the curriculum until 2021. We have done everything possible to meet everyone’s interests, but the priority will be our students.”
Motshekga said the country’s schools are still ready to take their matriculation exams in December. He explained that the late start time is to ensure that schools cover the necessary curriculum that was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
With the June matriculation exams combined with the traditional end-of-year exams, Motshekga said this will be the largest public exam ever conducted in South Africa, with more than a million students ready to write.
These National Senior Certificate exams will begin on November 5 and conclude on December 15, 2020. Grading will end on January 22 and results will be published on February 23, 2021.
Universities
At a press conference on Wednesday, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said that each of the country’s institutions has taken a different approach to the gradual return of students, depending on their preparation and preparation.
Nzimande said the government has color-coded institutions. Red for institutions that have a high risk of not completing the academic year effectively, orange for those that have a medium risk, and green for those that are on track to complete it.
“As of September 17, the outlook had moved somewhat, with seven institutions in the medium risk category and 19 that are at low risk. Currently, no institution remains at high risk, ”he said.
“For mid-risk colleges, the general observations are that they still have a way to go to complete their first semester program. Summative assessments, when required, have not yet begun. “
At these institutions, a significant number of students still appear not to be fully committed to the teaching and learning program, Nzimande said.
“It is anticipated that as students return to campus with the move to Level 1, the teaching and learning program will advance more rapidly, with refresher programs for students who have not been able to participate satisfactorily to be implemented,” he said.
Regarding the end of the academic year 2020:
- Ten universities aim to complete the academic year before the end of the 2020 calendar year;
- 4 universities plan to finish in January 2021;
- 7 colleges plan to complete in February 2021;
- 5 universities plan to complete in March 2021.
“This staggered end of the academic year is tied to the ability to support students and ensure that all students have a reasonable chance of success,” said Nzimande.
“There were some institutions that were unable to start their academic year effectively before the lockdown was implemented, and that is also reflected in this staggered end of the academic year.”
Due to the late release of tuition results, the start of the new academic year for freshmen will be staggered between March 8, 2021 and April 12, 2021, he said.
Read: New laws planned for South Africa, including changes to police, banks and when you can use a gun
[ad_2]
