Change to schools calendar for elections

Halls often used as voting stations, says department

t has been common for coastal schools to open a week after inland schools, but this has changed this year due to public holidays and the upcoming general elections.

Schools reopened on Wednesday, and unlike in previous years, all public schools resumed academic programmes on the same day.

Previously inland schools opened in the second week of January, while coastal schools resumed in the third week, but the total number of school days remained the same at 203, and the calendar eventually merged during the year.

National department of basic education spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said this was done to minimise traffic congestion on roads.

“We wanted to reduce accidents so the whole country is not moving at the same time, which is what contributes to different opening dates,” he said.

This year pupils at coastal schools returned to school a week earlier.

Mhlanga said this was due to public holidays and the national general elections, when schools are often used as voting stations.

“This year we have elections. We don’t know when elections are going to be held and have to play it safe and make everyone open and close at the

Isame time so schools can be used as voting stations,” he said. Different departments and stakeholders were involved in determining the academic calendar, including the departments of transport, home affairs and basic education, as well as the tourism sector, which looked at the events taking place in the year, Mhlanga said.

“We look at different things like the structure of the national calendar, when the public holidays will be and if there will be disruptions should we make a single academic calendar or a staggered calendar.”

Again, this year’s school calendar year will comprise 203 school days, with 26 days put aside for school holidays.

Meanwhile, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) urged scholar transport operators to prioritise the roadworthiness of their vehicles, including the renewal of permits, before schools reopened yesterday.

Spokesperson Simon Zwane said scholar transport operators and drivers were legally obligated to ensure their vehicles were in good condition and adhered to strict safety protocols and road regulations.

These included vehicle roadworthiness checks, regular maintenance of vehicles, document renewal, including licence discs, and driver training and certification.

“The RTMC emphasises that compliance is not only a legal obligation but a moral responsibility towards the safety and wellbeing of pupils,” Zwane said.

“We call on all scholar transport operators to take immediate action in reviewing and enhancing the safety measures within their operations. Your co-operation is crucial in creating a secure and reliable transportation system for our pupils. ”— TimesLIVE

❝