DBE Archives - Voice of the Cape

Parliament Calls for Probe into Controversial Bokkieweek School Sports Event

By Odwa Mkentane The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, Makhi Feni, says the Department of Basic Education must urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial "Bokkieweek" sporting event held in Limpopo. The call follows allegations that only Afrikaans-medium schools participated, that the apartheid-era anthem was sung, and that teams were grouped according to South Africa's pre-1994 provincial boundaries. Feni said it was concerning that […]

14 July 2026

Local

The deployment of more than 200,000 assistant teachers is welcomed by PSA

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has welcomed the Department of Basic Educations (DBE) deployment of over 200 000 teachers, through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). The Department of Basic Education implanted the initiative to ease the pressure that existing teachers face while at the same time creating jobs and boasting the economy. Recent research revealed that South Africa has a shortfall of some 46 000 teachers, due to teachers […]

24 April 2025

Local

All systems go for matric final exams in the Western Cape

By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert The Department of Basic Education (DBE) said they are ready to administer the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations (NSC). Thousands of matric learners are due to start their exams on Monday morning. Grade 12 learners will start with English Paper 3 and Afrikaans Paper 3 in the afternoon. Minister Siviwe Gwarube described this year’s final exams as representing the cumulative efforts of the education system, schools, […]

21 October 2024

Local

COSAS criticises the late release of matric results

The Congress of South African Students (COSAS), has criticised the release of matric results a week after schools and tertiary institutions opened for the new academic year. COSAS president general, Skhalo Mahladisa, says the Department of Basic Education and Higher Education must improve their working relations for the benefit of students. Breakfast engagement The 2022 matric results are set to be released on Thursday evening. The release of the results will be […]

19 January 2023

News

MJC SA lambasts proposed measures in BELA Bill

The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC SA) has lambasted proposed measures on the contested Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill. This comes as oral submissions will continue this week. Several civil society and education groups have reiterated the concerns around the amendments impact on education and society. Among modifications purported by the bill is the introduction of uni-sex bathrooms, gender-neutral uniforms, "Deadnaming" will also be outlawed, and educators will avoid gender-segregating […]

15 November 2022

Local

Matric exam leaks: Education department to challenge ‘Some aspects of ruling’

The Basic Education Department on Saturday said it would challenge some aspects of the judgment which overturned its decision for a rewrite of two leaked matric exams. The High Court in Pretoria set aside a decision to have grade 12's rewrite the second papers for maths and physical science, ruling that the decision by the department was unlawful and irregular. To avoid further delays and disruptions to the 2020 academic year, […]

13 December 2020

News

WCED expects over 2000 teachers to return to school as SA moves to lockdown level 1

As the country moves into Level 1, teachers who were allowed to work from home due to comorbidities are set to return to schools yesterday. According to a statement by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) more than 22 500 teachers were granted approval for concessions countrywide. But this concession was only applicable for the duration of levels 3 and 2. Now that the country has introduced level 1, teachers […]

22 September 2020

Local

High Court grants declaratory order to resume feeding scheme for eligible school learners

The Department of Basic Education has to roll out the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) to all eligible children, regardless of whether they have returned to school or not, thanks to an order granted in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday. This comes after Equal Education (EE) lodged an urgent application in July, in which it argued that all eligible children should receive their daily meal from the […]

18 July 2020

News

Public pressure caused about-turn on phasing in Grade R: Prof

For many within the education fraternity, the haphazardness within the education department and its management is a cause for concern. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga briefed the media yesterday on the updated approach by the department to re-introduce learners to school. Motshekga also announced since the return of the Grade 7 and 12 learners on 8th June, 2 740 teachers were infected by the virus. In the same period, […]

6 July 2020

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