​Qaqambile Mdledle
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Parks Tau has given Roodepoort schools the thumbs-up for a successful first day.
The MEC said he was happy with the effective teaching as the province opened schools for the 2022 academic year on Wednesday.
Tau who visited Princess High School and Durban Deep Primary encouraged learners to be disciplined and understand that education can break the cycle of inter-generational poverty.
"We are in a critical time of COVID-19 pandemic and I think that is understood by all. We are also concerned about young people's lives.
"As such, the visit was to ensure that we make informed decisions to minimise danger and protect the lives of our teachers and learners," said Tau. 
All Gauteng schools have received all the required stationery, personal protective equipment, hygiene and sanitisation packages.
To mark the start of the 2022 academic year, Members of the Executive Committee were deployed to more than fifteen schools across the province to monitor readiness.
Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko who visited Boitumelo and Mohaladitoe Secondary Schools in Sedibeng was impressed by school management and teachers for innovation. 
"The involvement of parents through school governing bodies is amazing. Judging from the few schools that we visited I can confidently say that Sebokeng is ready for teaching and learning."
Mazibuko was accompanied by the Speaker, Chief Whip and MMCs from Sedibeng and Emfuleni Districts, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, and School Governing Body (SGBs).
She urged stakeholders to be part and parcel of growing and protecting the schools in the province.
"All stakeholders are encouraged to take ownership of all public property including schools and to embrace the value that these public assets bring to their communities." 
The MEC also handed over dignity packs to Boitumelo Secondary School learners and planted a tree.
Human Settlements, Urban Planning, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Lebogang Maile visited schools in Mamelodi East.
The MEC said he was "greeted by professional educators and enthusiastic learners in anticipation for what their schooling life carries for them this year."
Finance and e-Government Minister was in KwaThema where she promised to reinstall network connectivity to improve the process of learning and teaching while Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi handed dignity packs to learners in Vanderbijlpark.