Desks and chairs and a teacher’s desk can be seen in a classroom File Picture Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers
Durban -The National Teachers’ Union (Natu) has expressed concern about the state of readiness for KwaZulu-Natal schools to reopen on Wednesday, January 15.
In a statement, Natu highlighted its concern after the KZN Department of Education said in a statement that it was ready for the upcoming school year.
“The Department of Education in KZN published a misleading press statement on the 7th of January 2025, wherein they claimed to have delivered 99% of textbooks and 76% of stationery to schools in the province. They promised to deliver the remaining materials by Friday, 10th of January 2025. This narrative is far from the reality as observed on the ground,” Natu stated.
Natu also called on the education department to disclose statistics regarding classrooms damaged by recent storms and to assure the public about the repairs and maintenance work still required before schools are ready for reopening—either in full or in part.
“For accountability purposes, the government needs to present a truthful picture of the state of readiness for the 2025 school year opening, it said.
The union said during an engagement with the Minister of Basic Education, Honourable Siviwe Gwarube, the department presented a concerning report on learner admissions for entry grades 1 and 8.
It said the KZN Education Department reported that it had completed the learner admission process.
“Again, this is far from the truth. Natu is aware that some schools did not conclude the admission of learners last year. This will become evident when schools reopen, as long queues of parents seeking placement for their children are expected,” Natu said.