Education officials vow smooth running of schools

Schools re-open for the new year in the four coastal provinces today

Schools re-open for the new year in the four coastal provinces today. Cameron Dugmore, the Western Cape education minister, says 15 new schools had been officially opened in areas around Cape Town to keep up with the influx of new learners into the province, and to reduce overcrowding. Dugmore says he is adamant that no children will be taught under trees this year.

In the Eastern Cape, educators and learners face several challenges as schools open today. Hailstorms and tornadoes have damaged several schools in the Transkei. Some schools have received the wrong textbooks. The South African Democratic Teacher's Union has appealed to teachers to improvise and handle the situation, as they have done for the past 10 years.

Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal education department is to implement a no-fee policy at 20% of the poorest schools in the province. Ina Cronje, the MEC, says the relevant schools have until the end of the month to apply for free education.