The first is the Second Chance Matric Support Programme, which was launched in 2016 with the aim of providing learners with a chance and support to rewrite matric-related subjects. The second is the Read is to Lead Campaign, which aims to encourage literacy in schools following concerning statistics that allege South African learners are not reading to the appropriate levels. Motshekga will be joined by MEC of Education in the province, Tate Makgoe, where she will provide insight into the above-mentioned programme and others, including the burning issue of safety in schools.

OFM News recently reported the issue of safety in schools was again raised by the Inkatha Freedom Party’s Liezl Linda van der Merwe who asked Motshekga if anything was being done to work on the issue. In her written response to the question, the Minister said the department is currently being guided by the National School Safety Framework (NNSF) which provides approaches to deal with the issue but stressed that a key part of the programme is collaboration between various stakeholders including police, civil society organisations and other related institutions, seeing as violence in schools is closely related to violence exhibited in surrounding communities.

The Free State has not been exempt from instances of violence in schools. Most recently a sexual assault case against three 15-year-old Thaba’Nchu boys from Sediti Secondary School was reported in the media. The three boys who have since been suspended from school, allegedly lured their 18-year-old victim to the school’s hostels on Saturday, where the assault then took place. Their case is expected to resume in the Local Magistrate’s Court on August 29.

The roadshow will kick off at Kagisho Comprehensive Secondary School  on Saturday morning.

OFM News