New school terms set

The department of basic education (DBE) has released the revised calendar for the 2020 school year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa last month announced that public schools would close for four weeks from 27 July to 24 August.

Grade 12 pupils will, however, return to class today, while children in Grade 7 will return next Monday.

On Friday, News24 revealed that a document compiled during a Heads of Education Departments Committee (Hedcom) workshop proposed concluding the school year by 15 December.

The department has confirmed the school year for Grades R to 11 will be concluded on 15 December, while matric examinations will also be completed by the same date.

It adds marking of the matric exams be concluded on 22 January, with results released on 23 February 2021.

“The consultation process has been concluded with all stakeholders and the Council of Education Ministers approved the revised school calendar,” said DBE in a statement.

“It is the second time this year that the school calendar has been revised to accommodate the changes that have been brought by the impact of the coronavirus.

“A break in school will be needed to separate the third and fourth terms. As a result there will be a one week break in October from 26 to 30. The teaching, learning and assessment for 2020 academic year must be concluded by 15 December 2020 for Grade R-11.”

Teachers will return on 25 January for the 2021 school year, while pupils will go back to school “a few days later”. –News24 Wire