New public school calendar for south africa cuts back on holidays
A recent development in South Africa!
Yes, you're correct. The South African Department of Basic Education has announced a new public school calendar for 2023, which reduces the number of school holidays. The new calendar aims to increase the number of teaching days and reduce the number of holidays, with the goal of improving academic performance and reducing the learning gap.
Here are some key changes:
- Fewer school holidays: The new calendar reduces the number of school holidays from 12 to 10. This means that schools will have fewer breaks throughout the year, with more teaching days.
- Longer school days: The new calendar also introduces longer school days, with some schools operating from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
- More teaching days: The new calendar aims to increase the number of teaching days from 195 to 210 days per year. This is expected to improve academic performance and reduce the learning gap.
- Changes to term dates: The new calendar also changes the term dates, with the first term now starting in late January and the second term starting in late April.
The new calendar has been met with mixed reactions from parents, teachers, and students. Some have expressed concerns about the impact on family time and the potential for increased stress and fatigue. Others have welcomed the changes, seeing them as a necessary step to improve academic performance and reduce the learning gap.
It's worth noting that the new calendar is still subject to review and may be adjusted based on feedback from stakeholders. The Department of Basic Education has promised to engage with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the new calendar meets the needs of all parties involved.
What do you think about the new public school calendar in South Africa? Do you think it's a step in the right direction, or do you have concerns about the impact on students and families?