Speaking to the media at the Botlehadi Primary School in Bloemfontein, Motshekga confirmed the number of school dropouts is on an upward trajectory. 

She said it is concerning that they are seeing more and more children leave school before completing high school. 

She says this challenge calls for a collaborative effort between parents, communities and all those involved in the education sector. Her statement comes just weeks after the school dropout rates made national headlines with statistics indicating that it is the highest it has been in 20 years.

According to Unicef, South African school learners are between 75% and a full school year behind due to Covid-19. Unicef’s figures indicate that about 400 000 to 500 000 learners have reportedly dropped out of school in the last 16 months. 

Motshekga says ensuring that primary school learners attend school on a daily basis is one of the efforts aimed at reducing the number of those who drop out.

OFM News