Frantic first day of school
GCN visited Hawk Academy School and Laerskool Die President in Primrose to capture the frantic first day.
Parents and learners carrying bags of stationery, trying to find their classes for the year, was the sight at most schools on February 15.
GCN visited Hawk Academy and Laerskool Die President in Primrose to capture the frantic first day of school. The principals of both Hawk Academy and Die President agreed that their schools were ready for the 2021 academic year.
“We are glad to see all the learners,” said Maria Gildenhuys, the acting principal of Laerskool Die President. The principal added they decided to accommodate Grades R, One and Seven at 100 per cent level as they are important grades. “We have made our classes smaller so that the children have 50 per cent capacity in classes for Covid-19 measures.”
This morning we officially opened the state of the art Abram Hlophe Primary School in Kahlehong. More than 2 million learners returned to schools in our province to mark the first day of the 2021 academic year. Thank you to all the teachers in the education system. #Back2SchoolGP pic.twitter.com/YouuH0tF2t
— David Makhura (@David_Makhura) February 15, 2021
The deputy head boy of Die President, Bradley Mackenzie, said he looks forward to setting a good example to the younger and new children and get their school to higher heights for 2021.
Hawks Academy principal Agnes Mkonto said learning started at 9am due to the hectic day.
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“Our learners are ready. They are tired of being home. We started phasing in the learners on February 8 for orientation and to sort their stationery.”
To kick start the first day of the academic year on Monday, 15 February 2021, MEC @Lesufi, @TasneemMotara and will I officially open the state-of-the art Abram Hlophe Primary School in Katlehong. We are #GrowingGautengTogether #GPBackToSchool pic.twitter.com/o6xQhC65Hb
— David Makhura (@David_Makhura) February 12, 2021
In the state of school readiness for 2021 on February 14, minister of basic education Angie Motshekga said it was three weeks since they started phasing-in the reopening of schools for 2021.
“The latest amended school calendar for 2021 as published by the department confirmed that on February 15 learners are going back to school. “We must emphasise that the health and safety of teachers, staff and learners remain at the top of the priority list.”
Motshekga added their consolidated directions, issued in terms of the regulations focused on the reopening of schools and measures to address prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19.
“We emphasised the critical importance of vigilance and strict adherence to the health and safety protocols to save lives. The directions were distributed to schools for implementation.”
In Katlehong, Gauteng premier David Makhura and MEC of education Panyaza Lesufi opened a new primary school called Abram Hlophe Primary School.
Lesufi urged the community to not vandalise the school. He thanked all teachers in the education system for their work at the ceremonial opening.
“We also remembered the teachers who succumbed to Covid-19.” The first day of school for most Germiston learners and schools went by smoothly.
Contact the newsroom by emailing:
Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
