Today marks the start of the much-anticipated holiday season for teachers and learners as the school year comes to a close, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) yesterday extended a vote of thanks to teachers, principals, school governing bodies, and officials for their exceptional leadership throughout what has been a particularly challenging year.
A challenging year for Western Cape schools
The 2024 academic year has tested the resilience of the Western Cape education system. David Maynier, the Western Cape Minister of Education, expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication displayed by educators and staff throughout the difficulties faced in the past months.
‘Next year is likely to be even more challenging, but we encourage all staff and learners to rest, recover, and come back ready for a successful start to the first term in January,’ Maynier said, urging the education community to recharge over the holiday break.
Matric exams: Marking in progress
With the final exams now behind them, students in the Western Cape are anxiously awaiting their matric results. The marking process for the 2024 matric exams is currently underway, with officials working diligently to ensure a smooth and accurate process.
The national matric results will be announced on Monday, 13 January 2025, in Gauteng. However, students in the Western Cape will be able to access their individual results starting at 10am on Tuesday, 14 January 2025, through schools and the official WCED website.
Matric Rage: A call for responsible celebrations
After completing their final exams, many matriculants will celebrate with formal rage events and smaller parties. While the WCED understands the excitement of marking the end of their school careers, Maynier urged students to celebrate responsibly.
‘We want our matrics to enjoy this important milestone, but we also encourage them to stay safe during this time of celebration,’ said Maynier, stressing the importance of responsible decision-making and the well-being of students.
School safety over the holidays
As schools close for the break, ensuring the safety of school property is a priority. The WCED has subsidised security measures for 480 schools across the province during the holiday period. However, Maynier also called on communities to remain vigilant and help safeguard their local schools.
‘We need the support of our communities to keep our schools safe while closed. If you notice any suspicious activity, please report it to the South African Police Service immediately,’ Maynier appealed, adding that prompt reporting can help prevent crime and protect valuable school resources.
The WCED wishes all learners, teachers, and staff a peaceful holiday season and looks forward to welcoming them back for an exciting and challenging year ahead.
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Picture: Element5 Digital / Unsplash
