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IOL News
a day ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
South Africa's schools embrace road safety education for a safer future
Road safety education is now integrated into the newly launched Life Skills textbooks for Grades 4–6 and Life Orientation textbooks for Grades 7–12. This initiative, led by the Department of Basic Education and funded by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other partners, aims to enhance public safety among South Africa's youth. Image: Supplied In a significant stride for public safety and education, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has announced the integration of road safety education into South African schools. The project has been a collaborative effort, led by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in partnership with the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and funding partner RTMC, among others. Road safety will become a formal part of the national curriculum with this landmark development. This monumental step was celebrated on June 13, 2025, with the launch of new Life Skills textbooks for Grades 4–6 and Life Orientation textbooks for Grades 7–12 by the DBE. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said this milestone represents a game changer in the national effort to reduce road fatalities and promote responsible road use among future generations. 'By embedding road safety education into the curriculum, South Africa takes a significant step toward institutionalising life-saving knowledge and cultivating a culture of road safety from a young age,' he said. In 2017, the RTMC began its mission to integrate structured and effective road safety education into schools, acknowledging the critical necessity for such content. Zwane noted that while the RTMC does not specialise in education, its expertise in road safety has shaped the development of relevant content aligned with the National Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). Through this initiative, RTMC said pupils from Grades 4 to 12 will gain essential knowledge, values, and skills that not only enhance their safety but also empower them to influence their families and communities. Teacher training and content contextualisation have also been prioritised to ensure the material is engaging and relevant to diverse learner groups. RTMC CEO, Advocate Makhosini Msibi, said this inclusion ensures that road safety education is not treated as a once-off campaign but becomes part of the national consciousness, embedded in the values and knowledge of every pupil. 'We are extremely proud to see road safety formally introduced into classrooms across the country,' said Msibi. The RTMC said it is committed to supporting the rollout, teacher training, and long-term sustainability of this vital intervention. 'We believe that road safety education at the school level lays the foundation for a safer, more responsible road-using public — ultimately saving lives.' During the launch of the textbook series, consisting of 21 books and teacher guides, the department said other funding partners include the Road Accident Fund, South African Human Rights Commission, South African Sugar Association, Railway Safety Regulator, UNICEF, Eskom, Nestlé, and Momentum Metropolitan Holdings. Road safety education is now integrated into the newly launched Life Skills textbooks for Grades 4–6 and Life Orientation textbooks for Grades 7–12. Image: Supplied Dr Patricia Watson, chief director for social inclusion and partnerships at the DBE, said these textbooks are more than just learning materials; 'they are roadmaps to self-discovery and empowerment'. Deputy Education Minister Reginah Mhaule said the textbook series empowers pupils to connect with their futures and make a positive difference in their own lives and society. 'It helps children and adolescents make informed choices about health, nutrition, safety, mental well-being, sexuality, physical fitness, and technology. 'These textbooks also guide them in managing their emotions, maintaining healthy relationships, and understanding their civic responsibilities under South Africa's laws and Constitution,' said Mhaule.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Teacher unions divided on Bela Act guidelines
New guidelines for the implementation of the 2024 amendments to the South African Schools Act have sparked a fierce debate among education stakeholders. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The Department of Basic Education's newly released Guidelines for the Implementation of the 2024 Amendments to the South African Schools Act have sparked a sharp divide among education stakeholders. Issued to MECs for Education and provincial heads of departments, the guidelines aim to clarify the interpretation and rollout of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA), focusing on contentious areas such as language policy, admissions, and the role of school governing bodies (SGB). Civil society organisation Free SA has welcomed the guidelines, calling them a victory for constitutional governance, while the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) has outright rejected the guidelines, calling them unlawful and politically motivated. Free SA, a constitutional rights advocacy group, applauded Minister Siviwe Gwarube, a member of the DA, and her team for incorporating core democratic principles into the guidelines. 'Free SA commends minister Gwarube for her leadership and responsiveness,' said spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. 'By anchoring these guidelines in the Constitution and administrative justice, she has taken a vital step in protecting the democratic ethos of South African schooling.' The organisation said many of the recommendations it submitted in a January 2024 memorandum have been adopted. These include the use of clear and objective standards for the assessment of admission and language policies, time-bound appeal procedures, and protections for SGBs from arbitrary interference. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'SGBs cannot be dissolved or stripped of functions without a documented failure, due process, and an opportunity for rectification,' said Coetzer. However, SADTU issued a scathing media statement, accusing the Minister of acting outside the limits of her legal authority. 'The minister seems confused about her legal authority in terms of the Constitution,' the union said. 'She cannot exercise a power she does not have in law.' SADTU general secretary Dr Mugwena Maluleke said the union had written to the minister several times through its lawyers, warning that BELA does not authorise her to issue guidelines with legal effect. 'The law is clear that the Minister is only allowed to make regulations, not guidelines, in terms of the BELA Act,' the union stated. It went further, alleging that the release of the guidelines is part of the DA's political strategy to hinder full implementation of BELA, particularly sections dealing with language and admissions. 'We therefore demand that the Minister retract these guidelines and stop delaying tactics. We want the process to be lawful and be speeded up,' said Maluleke, urging schools, MECs, and SGB members to ignore the guidelines. In contrast, the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) took a more constructive tone. Naptosa provincial CEO Thirona Moodley said the guidelines are 'fair to all stakeholders and do not impose unnecessarily on the jurisdiction of any stakeholder.' She added that Naptosa has representatives on all BELA regulation drafting committees and is confident that the final regulations will be practical and clear. 'Our reps are able to identify with the needs of the schools, thereby making valuable input from that perspective,' she said. Moodley encouraged public participation once the draft regulations are released. While the department has clarified that these are interim, non-binding guidelines, Free SA said they set an encouraging precedent for how BELA can be implemented without undermining constitutional values. The group said it would remain vigilant in monitoring the next phase of regulation development. Meanwhile responding to questions in the Basic Education Portfolio Committee yesterday, Minister Gwarube said that regulations regarding the Act would be published by the end of this month. "We made a commitment last year that by the end of June, the regulations would be out and published for the public. We are not at the end of June.' Gwarube also said the drafting of the regulations was an intricate process. 'It is not done by the minister. It is done by the legal team within the department in conjunction with the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor. That is the legal process we must allow to take its course. The regulations don't delay the implementation of the Act. "The Act is in force and implementable. The regulations seek to give clarity on certain parts of the Act and how they should be implemented.' THE MERCURY
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
No delays in the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act: Gwarube's assurance
Department of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube insists that there have been no delays with any of the processes to implement the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and the drafting of the regulations. Image: Facebook Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube on Tuesday reiterated that there was no delay in the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act and the drafting of its regulations. Responding to questions in the Basic Education Portfolio Committee, Gwarube said she had on numerous occasions informed the committee and Parliament that the Bela Act was already enacted into law. 'The last time, in Parliament, I indicated that when the Act is signed into law, it comes into effect. There is no delay,' she said. This was after EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana said South Africans were confused about what was happening with regards with Bela Act and regulations. 'You are deliberately playing a political game and using delay tactics. No matter how smart you are to give us answers, the fact of the matter is that there is a serious deliberate delay in dealing with the regulations,' Shikwambana said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He wanted to know when the clauses in the Bela Act that deal with language and admissions will be fully implemented. 'We need those regulations. They must come and be published. If you have got them or published them elsewhere, can you furnish us with those regulations?' Shikwambana said. ANC MP Tshepo Louw wanted to know about the delays in the proclamation of the Bela Act's clauses on admission and language. Louw asked about the advice the State Law Advisor gave the department on the outstanding regulations and the status of the regulations. In her response, Gwarube said the two clauses of the Bela Act came into operation when the new law was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in December 2024. 'Those sections came into law last year already. There is no delay in implementing the Act itself or specific amendments. They are in the entirety of the law and remain law as we speak,' she said. Gwarube stated that the drafting of regulations was not a straightforward process. Last year, the department made a commitment that there would be guidelines while regulations were being drafted and then published for public comment in June 2025. 'The date, as we stand here, is June 17. We are about two weeks away from the end of June,' she said. 'I really do battle to understand the assertion and even the accusation that somehow there is a delay in the implementation of the Act and production of the regulations. We made a commitment last year that by the end of June, the regulations would be out and published for the public. We are not at the end of June.' Gwarube also said the drafting of the regulations was an intricate process. 'It is not done by the minister. It is done by the legal team within the department in conjunction with the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor. That is the legal process we must allow to take its course. The regulations don't delay the implementation of the Act. "The Act is in force and implementable. The regulations seek to give clarity on certain parts of the Act and how they should be implemented.' She also said she would not be tired of answering the same question repeatedly asked despite the accusations in relation to the two clauses of the Bela Act and the regulations. 'There has been absolutely no delay with any of these processes.' But, committee Chairperson Joy Maimela said they wanted to see the Bela Act in action as schools have started with the application process for next year's admissions. 'Where we are seated, we should invite the department to come and give an account of how many language policies they have seen and dealt with,' Maimela said.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
What you need to know about 2025 school holidays
What you need to know about 2025 school holidays As exam season is already underway for some learners, and fast approaching for others, many students, and parents, are beginning to ask one big question: When is the next school holiday? Here's a breakdown of what the rest of the 2025 school year looks like for South African learners: Term 2 ends Friday, June 27 Learners will head into a well-deserved winter break after a busy term. Term 3 begins: Tuesday, July 22 The third term runs for 11 weeks and ends on Friday, October 3. Term 4 begins: Monday, October 13 The final stretch of the academic year begins after a short spring break. Public holidays to note: Heritage Day falls on Wednesday, September 24, offering a mid-week pause for both learners and teachers. School year ends: Friday, December 12 Schools will officially close for the summer holidays, giving families time to rest, travel, and celebrate the festive season. Knowing the school calendar helps families, caregivers, and community organisers stay one step ahead. Here's how it can help: Plan holidays without interrupting school schedules, Arrange childcare during breaks and public holidays, Book extra lessons or revision sessions well in advance, and Support learners in managing stress and staying on top of assignments. While the Department of Basic Education (DBE) sets the national calendar, individual schools, especially private or independent ones, may adjust their schedules slightly. Guardians are advised to always check with their child's school for the exact dates. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
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The South African
13-06-2025
- General
- The South African
June-July School holidays in SA [video]
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that the final day of the second term – which signals the start of the June-July school holidays – will be Friday, 27 June. Pupils will return to their desks on Tuesday, 22 July for Term 3. That means a June-July holiday period of 24 days in total, comprising three full weeks plus one extra day – and weekends. The 2025 school year is divided into four terms: Term 1: 15 January to 28 March, Term 2: 8 April to 27 June, Term 3: 22 July to 3 October and Term 4: 13 October to 10 December. Read the full version of the ' School calendar: How long are the June-July holidays?' article. Prior to 2024, there was a difference in the term dates for inland and coastal schools. In 2024 that changed to a calendar that was identical for all provinces. This remains the case in 2025. The 2025 academic year will consist of 200 school days. Terms 1 and 2 will have 52 days, Term 3 will be the longest at 53 days, while Term 4 will be the shortest with just 43 days Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
