The Department of Education chose to commemorate Freedom Day by examining future prospects. In a statement, the department shared its listed plans and achievements.

The MEC for the department, Bonakele Majuba, said, “We are planning to design and commence with the construction of the school for deaf and blind learners. We intend to eradicate all pit latrines in schools and to fix all unsafe structures. Furthermore, the alleviation of overcrowding in fast-growing towns will be done by adding classrooms to existing schools and with the construction of seven new schools.”

Through the national school nutrition programme, 915 533 learners received one meal a day for 196 school feeding days. A total of 72 457 learners benefited from the scholar transport programme and 899 975 learners are in no-fee schools. The department completed 134 basic service projects, provided 124 schools with drinking fountains and completed 278 maintenance projects as part of the school infrastructure improvement programme.

The grade 12 class of 2020 managed to achieve an overall provincial pass percentage of 73,7. “A total of 2 203 students are furthering their studies in various universities supported by the provincial Ephraim Mogale Bursary Scheme. In addition, 370 students are furthering their studies at various levels in the Federal Republic of Russia. In July, 20 of these students graduated.”

According to the MEC, plans are afoot to pilot the introduction of coding and robotics in 128 schools, and to implement the provincial e-learning roll-out.

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The development of the Provincial Skill Master Plan is receiving attention, too. In collaboration with strategic partners, the department will accelerate the process to construct the Mpumalanga Innovation and Skills Hub in eMalahleni Local Municipality.

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