Pretoria - It was smooth sailing on the first day of the 2014 academic year in Gauteng, the provincial government said on Wednesday.
Members of the executive council of the province visited various schools around the province to assess the state of readiness of the schools.
Education MEC Barbara Creecy encouraged pupils at Realeboha Primary School in Palm Ridge, Ekurhuleni, to work hard so that they become a success.
“If you want to be a lawyer, doctor, pilot, engineer or even a president of the country, you must start working hard now to ensure that your dream becomes a reality,” said Creecy.
This year, the Department of Basic Education was faced with the challenge of repairing schools that were damaged by severe hailstorms that hit the province place late last year.
Some of these schools were repaired in time for today’s schools opening.
The department has made arrangements for the learners whose schools have not yet been repaired to be accommodated in nearby schools until their schools are repaired - a process that will take between a week and six weeks, depending on the intensity of the damage.
In addition, the provincial department has set up an Operations Centre in Braamfontein, which will deal with any challenges that might arise today across the province.
Officials have also been deployed to various schools in the province to monitor and report any challenges that arise on the ground. Parents are also encouraged to report challenges to the Operations Centre on 073 064 1565 or 083 401 7644.
The centre will run until the end of January, and will also assist with late registrations. - SAnews.gov.za
