Latest news with #GautengEducation
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Gauteng learner, 6, dies in freak scholar transport accident
The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed the death of a six-year-old Grade R girl learner from Letsatsing Primary Mine School in Carletonville, following a freak scholar transport accident. The accident happened on Friday, 15 August. Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said following the accident, the minor was rushed to Carletonville Hospital for medical attention, where she sadly passed away later that afternoon due to serious injuries. Mabona said law enforcement agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding this accident. 'The psycho-social support unit will be made available to the school community, bereaved family, learners, and educators,' he said. The department's officials were expected to visit the family on Sunday, 17 August, to convey their condolences accordingly. Meanwhile, the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, school community, and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss. 'We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and assure them of our full support during this difficult time,' Chiloane said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
Law firm to be appointed to probe death of Alberton pupil
The Gauteng education department says it is finalising the process of appointing an independent investigative law firm to probe the death of a grade 3 boy pupil from Alberview Primary School in Alberton. 'It is alleged that the learner passed away at hospital on Friday, August 1, after sustaining an injury on the school field that morning. The independent investigation will probe circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,' Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said. He said the family and all stakeholders would be engaged once the department has the independent investigative law firm aboard for necessary introductions and to outline the terms of reference. 'We are hopeful that this investigation will uncover the facts behind the learner's passing, ensuring accountability,' Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane said. TimesLIVE
The Herald
07-08-2025
- The Herald
Two classrooms burnt in suspected arson over timetable change
Five pupils were arrested after a fire at Thuto-Lefa Secondary School in Munsieville, Krugersdorp, on Wednesday afternoon, which resulted in the destruction of two mobile classrooms. 'It is alleged that the incident may be linked to learner dissatisfaction with recent timetable changes introduced by the school,' the Gauteng education department said. 'The objective of this adjustment is to ensure the completion of the academic syllabus and to provide adequate revision time ahead of upcoming preliminary examinations.' Police arrested four grade 10 pupils and one in grade 9. Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane condemned the incident. 'Burning a classroom is not a form of protest, it is a criminal act that robs learners of their right to quality education. We will not tolerate such destructive behaviour, and those responsible must face the full consequences of the law,' he said. The department said it will work with the school and relevant stakeholders to ensure that learning continues with minimal disruption. Officials will assess the damage and implement immediate interventions, including the possible deployment of temporary infrastructure. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Gauteng Grade 1 and 8 school applications go live on July 25
Gauteng Grade 1 and 8 school applications go live on July 25 The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that its 2026 online admissions application system for Grade One and Grade Eight learners will open on Thursday at 08:00. This system is specifically designed for parents and guardians of children entering Grade One or Grade Eight in the 2026 academic year. Parents of children currently in Grade R must also apply for Grade One placement, as there is no automatic progression between the two grades. ALSO READ: Gauteng Education terminates partnership after allegations of sexual assault Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, urged families to ensure they follow all application steps correctly. 'All parents must create new profiles – no old profiles or login details from previous years will work,' Chiloane said at a media briefing on July 20. After registering at the system will prompt parents to set up a username and password. These credentials are vital for tracking application progress and making changes when necessary. Parents are reminded to accept the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) disclaimer and terms and conditions, and to enter accurate ID numbers and personal details. Once logged in, the application must be completed using the five-step process. 'It is essential to complete each step correctly. Failing to do so will result in an incomplete application and may affect your child's placement,' Chiloane warned. ALSO READ: Gauteng Education invests R207m to solve learner placement crisis Key steps include: • Completing all five application stages • Uploading or submitting required documents within seven days • Providing one reliable cellphone number for SMS verification and updates Chiloane noted that weekly reminders will be sent via SMS and pop-up notifications on the system. Parents are strongly advised not to lose or change their cellphone numbers during this process. If unavoidable, they should contact the department for assistance. • Select at least three and up to five schools • Use the Home Address Within School Feeder Zone option when applying • Choose schools whose feeder zones include their home address 'All schools will remain open for selection throughout the application period,' the department confirmed. Important dates and warnings Application window closes: August 29 at midnight No late applications will be accepted Chiloane also warned parents about fraudulent schemes. 'Bogus operators are scamming parents by promising placements for money. The GDE does not charge any fees for online applications or support. All official assistance is free,' he said. ALSO READ: Gauteng Education regrets death of Siyabonga Mnisi from suspected food poisoning Parents and guardians are encouraged to report any suspicious activity directly to the department. Need help? Contact the GDE: Call: 0800 000 789 WhatsApp: 060 891 0361 Email: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Gauteng schools urged to settle electricity and water bills
Gauteng Education confirms June payments were made and schools must now ensure their water and electricity bills are up to date. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) says no school will face water or power cuts if school governing bodies (SGBs) pay municipal bills with the funds they were allocated in June. The department confirmed on Thursday that June payments were made to all schools for payment of their respective municipal billing accounts. This comes after the financial situation at the schools was shared in a written response to an issue raised by the DA shadow MEC for education, Sergio dos Santos. Over 500 schools disconnected in 2025 A detailed list provided by Education MEC Matome Chiloane's office showed that 536 schools endured some sort of billing-related disconnection in 2025. Of those, 293 were for a period of at least 30 days, while another 250 experienced disconnections lasting between seven and 18 days. Four of the schools had their water disconnected for periods between 10 and 27 days, with the remaining schools having had their electricity disconnected. ALSO READ: If it ain't broke, break it anyway There were 16 schools that had their water, electricity, waste and sewerage services disconnected simultaneously. Schools with the highest bills include Fleurhof Primary with an overdue amount of R3.8 million, R1.6 million owed by Soshanguve South Primary, and R1.9 million owed by Fusion Secondary in Lotus Gardens. The GDE further reiterated that once the funds have been transferred, it is the responsibility of the schools and their SGBs to make sure that their municipal accounts are settled and paid on time to avoid water and electricity cuts. Schools are responsible for their own money – GDE The department emphasised that schools, specifically those granted Section 21 functions, are tasked with handling their own money, in line with legislation. These schools are responsible for a range of functions, including the payment of municipal services such as electricity and water. 'No public school in Gauteng is currently, or will ever be, disconnected from water and electricity services now and in the near future,' said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane. 'Schools must work hand in hand with the GDE to continue achieving this by ensuring their municipal accounts are up to date at all times and that they comply with all necessary procedures.' ALSO READ: Payment delays for school assistants caused by DBE verification issues GDE said that in addition to allocating funds, it provides oversight and support to these schools, having previously settled outstanding accounts on behalf of schools in April 2025. The department also said that it trains SGBs and schools in financial management to emphasise the importance of complying with all relevant financial procedures. Parents and communities urged to support SGBs The GDE said that it continues to collaborate with school leadership structures to ensure sound financial governance and uninterrupted access to basic services. 'We call on parents, communities, and stakeholders to support schools and their school governing bodies in executing their duties not just responsibly but to the benefit of all learners, educators, and school-based staff,' said Chiloane. Additional reporting by Jarryd Westerdale
