MEC Debbie Schäfer on new Basic Education directions gazetted
The Department of Basic Education has now gazetted directions outlining the phasing in of grades over the next month.
It has been over a week since the President made a series of announcements regarding schools in his address to the nation, with no legislative backing, which left provincial departments, schools, staff and learners uncertain as to how to proceed.
While the DBE released a new school calendar on Saturday, this was not gazetted and was unfortunately silent on the phasing in of grades this month. This put schools in a difficult position, not knowing whether to follow the new calendar, or the President’s speech – neither of which had any legal effect without gazetted directions.
It is also noteworthy that despite the President announcing that the school year will be extended in 2021, this is not the case in the new school calendar. According to the new calendar, schools will close on 15 December.
Another change that must be noted is that Grade 7s will return on 11 August, not the 12th.