Gauteng School Curriculum in Chaos After Delay – Mid-Year Review Planned

The Gauteng Department of Education is urgently restoring order to the school curriculum after significant delays disrupted the start of the 2025 academic year at Tanganani Primary School in Diepsloot. They have launched catch-up and remedial initiatives to align with the standard school curriculum. Moreover, a mid-year review is scheduled to ensure all learners fully integrate into the standard curriculum by the fourth term.

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Delayed Start Due to Community Disruptions

Community demands for economic beneficiation delayed the opening of Tanganani Primary School from 5 May to 12 May 2025. These disruptions were beyond the department’s control. They hindered the timely recruitment and deployment of teachers, putting learners at risk of falling behind with the school curriculum.

Interim Measures to Maintain Academic Progress

To prevent a total halt in teaching, the department deployed office-based subject advisors as interim teachers. This move kept academic activities ongoing while the department completed the recruitment of permanent educators, ensuring continuity in the school curriculum. The department concluded interviews for full-time teaching posts on 21 May, with appointed teachers expected to start on 2 June. Additionally, the department plans to advertise three more posts to strengthen teaching capacity.

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Catch-Up Programmes and Remedial Teaching

The department recognised the impact of the delayed start on the school curriculum and implemented targeted catch-up initiatives. Between 12 and 16 May, it conducted baseline assessments to identify learning gaps. The department began intervention programmes on 23 May, which will run until the end of September. These programmes include remedial teaching and peer-supported learning sessions. They will help learners recover lost instructional time and return to the standard curriculum.

Mid-Year Review Set for July

The department scheduled a comprehensive mid-year review for 31 July 2025. This review will assess the effectiveness of the catch-up programmes and ensure all pupils remain on track to fully integrate into the standard curriculum by term four. By reflecting on the effectiveness of strategies for the school curriculum, the department commits to transparency and will provide regular progress updates.

Infrastructure and Facilities: Overcoming Initial Setbacks

Despite initial construction delays, the department delivered 18 fully functional classrooms. These classrooms were secured with fencing and lockable gates, supporting the necessary infrastructure for a successful school curriculum. The department provided flushing mobile toilets and water tankers to ensure a consistent water supply. They supplied temporary electricity via generator from 15 May. Additionally, they installed a permanent power kiosk by 24 May and expect full power distribution by 27 May.

Funding Support for Schools

The department allocated R671 million to quintile 5 schools in Gauteng for the 2024–25 financial year. It provided fee-paying Quintile 4 and 5 schools with R838 per pupil. In contrast, no-fee-paying schools in these quintiles received R1,672 per pupil. Afrikaans-medium quintile 5 schools benefited from R75.5 million. This supported 103 schools across the province.

Commitment to Quality Education

The Gauteng Department of Education reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality education and maintaining the school curriculum. They ensure that all students access safe, supportive, and well-resourced learning environments. Students are entitled to this regardless of their geographical or socio-economic background. The department’s swift response and ongoing interventions demonstrate a proactive approach to overcoming disruptions. Their actions safeguard learners’ academic progress.

The curriculum delay at Tanganani Primary School highlighted significant challenges. Yet, the department’s remedial actions and planned mid-year review offer hope for a return to stability in the school curriculum. Stakeholders will watch closely as the review approaches, aiming to ensure every learner in Gauteng receives the education they deserve.