THE Department of Basic Education on Sunday distanced itself from a message circulating on social media platforms stating that the reopening of schools will be delayed due to Mandela Day activities.

The department said originators of the message are seeking to create anxiety and uncertainty in schools. This as schools are scheduled to open on 17 July.

“We can confirm that message is false and must be ignored and deleted as it has caused much confusion in the basic education sector,”  the Presidency said.

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On 18 July, South Africa and the world will commemorate what would have been Madiba’s 100th birthday.

“The Department has official channels of communication with all our schools, and does not  communicate such important information via social media. Our schools went on recess on 22 June and will resume on 17 July as per the school calendar approved two years ago. We expect all our learners and educators alike to report for duty as scheduled in order to commence the third term without any further delays.”

The department said the Mandela and Sisulu Centenary celebrations will proceed without causing disruptions in schools.

“We would advise that those who receive the message to inform the sender that it is fake news and delete the message to ensure that further confusion is averted,”  said the department.

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