Hundreds of thousands of children and young people across South Africa reunited with their teachers and friends as schools and colleges started to open their gates following the lengthy December holiday period, starting the academic year in earnest as the month came to an end.

Addressing pupils at Kgatoentle Secondary School in Ga-Rankuwa in Pretoria, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga encouraged pupils to focus on their education rather than delay their future by engaging in destructive activities.

“Growing up is not easy; it has a lot of temptations, but it is important to know what to do at the right time. Your time for studying is now. Grade 12, this year is your year,” said minister Motshekga.

“The government invests a lot of resources in your education because of how important you are. You are our future. This country is going to be run by you, and this economy is going to be run by you.

“We are working hard with Umalusi and the Department of Higher Education and Training to diversify the skills in the country. We encourage you to learn technical and vocational skills so you can contribute to the economy,” added Minister Motshekga.

The purpose of the visit was for Motshekga and Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, to oversee the reopening of schools.

Meanwhile, the release of 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results is also on the horizon, with more than 890,000 full-time and part-time candidates having taken the exams at the end of last year.

Earlier this week, the national education quality assurance body, Umalusi, announced that it had approved the release of the November 2023 NSC examination results.