Latest news with #Mabona
The South African
4 days ago
- General
- The South African
Here are Gauteng Grade 1 and 8 2026 online admissions details
Parents and guardians in Gauteng should prepare for the 2026 online admissions process for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners, which opens on 24 July and closes on 29 August. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has urged families to ensure all necessary documents are ready ahead of the application window to avoid delays. To apply, parents must visit the official GDE website once applications go live. Required documents include certified copies of the parent's South African ID or passport, the child's birth certificate or relevant permits, and proof of home and work addresses. Grade 8 applicants must also submit their latest Grade 7 report, while Grade 1 applicants need a clinic card or immunisation report. In related news, Tanganani Primary School in Diepsloot has officially opened, ending weeks of disruption that kept hundreds of children out of school. Teaching began at the newly built school after construction delays and community protests pushed back its original opening date of 5 May. Community members had protested to demand local job opportunities linked to the school's construction. The unrest affected both the building schedule and the appointment of teaching staff. The Department said it responded swiftly to minimise the impact on learners. 'This measure ensured that academic activities continued while the recruitment of permanent educators proceeded according to the Department's Recruitment and Selection Policy,' said GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona. The recruitment process ended on 21 May, and the new teachers are expected to start on 2 June. Tanganani Primary is one of two new schools that have tackled severe overcrowding in Diepsloot. Earlier this month, the Department confirmed that 285 learners in the area had yet to attend school in 2025, 206 of them in primary grades. Although Tanganani now offers 18 classrooms, construction on the second school continues, and a third school remains in the planning stages. Still, officials have assured parents that the current facility is secure and ready for learning. 'The school premises are secure, with appropriate fencing and lockable gates in place,' Mabona confirmed. 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 Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Claims of death threats, job scams investigated at Benoni school – department says no proof exists
Claims of death threats, job scams investigated at Benoni school – department says no proof exists Despite several claims regarding teachers receiving death threats while one was murdered in April last year, as well as money paid to secure employment at the school and parents paying to access their children's report cards at Unity Secondary School in Benoni, official investigations have not resulted in uncovering any proof. Allegations of death threats The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed that several teachers from Unity Secondary temporarily relocated to the district office in late 2024 following allegations of death threats. In April 2024, the Benoni City Times reported that some teachers disclosed during the memorial service of Seraka Mogoswane (a teacher at Unity Secondary who was murdered) that unknown men had followed and intimidated them in the months leading up to his death. Mogoswane was shot and killed on April 5 while sitting in a parked car in Daveyton. Although their concerns were regarded as serious, the department instructed the teachers to return to the school in 2025 because of a lack of supporting evidence. Jobs for sale allegations Adding to the school's woes, the department also investigated allegations that teaching posts were being sold. According to GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona, they received a complaint in November 2024 from an applicant who claimed she had to deposit R17 000 into a teacher's bank account for employment. 'The implicated teacher denied involvement, and with no further cooperation from the complainant, the matter was closed because of a lack of evidence,' said Mabona. Voluntary donations by parents allowed Financial governance issues have also come under scrutiny, with allegations that parents had to pay a R450 annual contribution to access their children's report cards. However, Mabona clarified the department did not receive formal complaints. 'Upon inquiry, it was confirmed the contribution was a voluntary donation agreed upon at the school's AGM, with flexibility for parents to contribute what they could afford,' he explained. The department stated this practice was in line with Section 37(1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996, which allows school governing bodies (SGBs) to supplement state funding. Concerns about transparency in the SGB's financial records prompted the department to conduct governance training on April 1, followed by a workshop led by the National Department of Basic Education on April 15. Following these interventions, Mabona stated that all SGB members had access to the school's financial statements, and they strengthened the communication structures to enhance accountability. Interventions launched to stop academic delince Regarding academic performance, Unity Secondary has experienced a notable decline in matric results, dropping from a 98% pass rate in 2020 to 86% in 2024. Mabona said the department launched a series of interventions to support both teachers and learners. 'These include the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), targeted training in critical subjects, curriculum support from subject advisors, and ongoing development through the Provincial Just-in-Time (JIT) training programme. 'Learners also receive support through Saturday and holiday programmes under the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP), including residential camps,' Mabona added. Mabona indicated that the school currently has two vacant departmental head (DH) posts and one deputy principal position. The DH posts were advertised in Vacancy Circular Two of 2025, with appointments expected by August 1. The deputy principal position will be advertised later this year. The department also confirmed that it reviewed the school principal's qualifications and found them to be valid, and that he did not require any disciplinary action. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
School staff member arrested for alleged sexual of grade 2 pupil
Police arrested the suspect on Wednesday, after the pupil's mother opened a case at the Mondeor Police Station. A staff member from Laerskool Dalmondeor, in the south of Johannesburg, has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a Grade 2 pupil on school grounds. Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson Steve Mabona said police arrested the suspect on Wednesday, after the pupil's mother opened a case at Mondeor Police Station. Arrest 'According to information at our disposal, the pupil's mother alleges that her child was sexually assaulted by the suspect on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, in one of the school's cloakrooms. 'The mother reportedly opened a case at Mondeor Police Station that same day. Other details surrounding the incident remain unclear, and the matter was unknown to the school until Tuesday, 27 May 2025, when police acted on the complaint and arrived at the school to arrest the implicated staff member,' Mabona said. Mabona added that the circumstances surrounding the incident are currently being investigated by the police. 'The alleged perpetrator remains in custody, and he will be precautionarily removed as a staff member at the school.' ALSO READ: AfriForum accuses NPA of playing to public gallery in Cwecwe rape case 'Incident disturbing' Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he is deeply disturbed by the alleged sexual assault of a Grade 2 girl pupil by a staff member at the Laerskool Dalmondeor. 'It is heartbreaking that a child could be subjected to such trauma in a place meant to nurture and protect them. We condemn this alleged act in the strongest terms and call for the law to take its full course. 'This incident takes place during Child Protection Week, a period dedicated to raising awareness about the rights, safety, and dignity of children. It is a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen protective measures in all learning environments and ensure that no child is ever subjected to harm while under our care,' said Chiloane. Child safety The GDE said it takes allegations of this nature 'extremely seriously'. 'The safety, protection, and psychological well-being of all pupils remains our foremost priority,' the department said. NOW READ: BREAKING: Main suspect in murder of Olorato Mongale shot dead in KZN
The South African
29-05-2025
- General
- The South African
New Diepsloot school opens after protests and delays
Tanganani Primary School in Diepsloot has officially opened its doors, marking a breakthrough for hundreds of children waiting for access to education. Teaching is underway after weeks of disruption caused by community protests and construction delays. Originally scheduled to open on 5 May, the new Diepsloot school's launch was delayed after residents protested for economic opportunities. The unrest affected both the construction progress and the appointment of teachers. The Gauteng Department of Education said these disruptions were beyond its control but quickly moved to limit the impact on learners. 'This measure ensured that academic activities continued while the recruitment of permanent educators proceeded according to the Department's Recruitment and Selection Policy,' said departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona. The hiring process concluded on 21 May, and the newly appointed educators are expected to report by 2 June. Tanganani Primary is one of two new schools in Diepsloot earmarked to address overcrowding in the fast-growing township. Earlier this month, the Department revealed that 285 learners in Diepsloot had not yet attended school this year, 206 of them in primary school. While Tanganani has delivered 18 functional classrooms, the second school is still under construction, and work on a third has not yet started. Despite the delays, the Department has confirmed that Tanganani Primary School is safe and operational. 'The school premises are secure, with appropriate fencing and lockable gates in place,' Mabona said. Temporary services, including mobile toilets, water tankers, and a generator delivered on 15 May, have been implemented to ensure the new Diepsloot school can function. A power kiosk was installed on 24 May, with complete electrical distribution expected by 27 May. The Department has launched academic support initiatives to recover lost teaching time in the new Diepsloot school, including assessments, remedial lessons, and peer-supported learning sessions. 'These include baseline assessments conducted between 12 and 16 May 2025, followed by the development of customised intervention plans informed by diagnostic results,' said Mabona. A mid-year academic review is set for 31 July, to reintegrate learners into the entire curriculum by Term 4. 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.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Gauteng Education Department warns of alarming rise in school fire incidents
The Gauteng Department of Education has raised the alarm over the increase in the number of fire incidents in Gauteng schools following a fire that broke out at the Riverlea Secondary School. Image: Supplied The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has raised an alarm over the number of fire incidents across its schools in the province. The department has recorded at least 29 fire incidents across Gauteng schools between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years. According to the department, of these, six schools have been repaired by the Department at a total cost of R9.3 million with an additional 10 schools having been repaired through insurance claims, School Governing Body (SGB) funding, or private donations. On Tuesday, departmental spokesperson, Stave Mabona indicated that 13 schools have not yet been repaired due to the extent of the damage. The department has also confirmed that the reconstruction of Riverlea Secondary School, where a devastating fire destroyed 11 classrooms last month, will cost approximately R2.5 million. Mabona indicated that the department has implemented fire safety measures at the school after a fire which started in an unused classroom, quickly spread to an entire classroom block, including four classrooms used by Grade 8 pupils, and the boys' toilet block was damaged. Mabona added that some of the cases have been referred to the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development, led by MEC Jacob Mamabolo. "These cases have been referred to the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID) for detailed assessment and project implementation. The exact cost for these repairs will be determined following completion of those assessments. The department acknowledges that many schools lack adequate fire safety infrastructure. "While some high-risk schools have been equipped with firefighting resources, including extinguishers, fire blankets, and emergency signage, compliance across all schools remains a work in progress. Firefighting and emergency response training is provided to learners and educators through accredited programmes," Mabona stated.
