A new school year

Millions of learners in South African schools walked into the classrooms this morning to kick off their schooling careers or return to class for the 2019 academic year. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is in KwaZulu-Natal visiting schools that performed dismally last year. The department says some regions in this province had the worst results last year with some achieving a 0% pass rate. Now the education system is never without any challenges, such as overcrowding in classrooms, cost of uniforms, preparations by parents to register their children, among other things. Nonetheless the Department has emphasised its readiness for the start of the New Year. To help us unpack this discussion we are now joined by:• Matakanye Matakanye is the General Secretary of the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB)• Johannes Mutuna is the Vice President of the Professional Educators Union (PEU) • Elijah Mhlanga is the Spokesperson for the National Department of Education in South Africa • Chris Malemetsa is the Gauteng Provincial Chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO)