​Qaqambile Mdledle
To mark the start of the 2022 academic year, Members of the Executive Committee in Gauteng will be deployed to more than fifteen schools across the province on Wednesday.
Premier David Makhura, together with MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi and MEC of Infrastructure Development Tasneem Motara will monitor the back-to-school activities at the new Setlabotjha Primary School.
Located in Eatonside, Sebokeng, Setlabotjha Primary School is a mega primary school that is keeping up with the government's commitment to providing state of the art infrastructure to previously underserviced communities.
"This is an important milestone, as the school is among our newly designed and constructed mega school infrastructure, aimed at improving the quality of education in township schools. 
"The school is a green technology infrastructure, which boasts state of the art facilities such as foundation and intermediate classrooms, a Grade R block with admin block, smart science labs, plant and generator rooms, dining hall and many more," said MEC Lesufi.
Lesufi said the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is committed to accelerating the delivery of schools, in a bid to ensure that every child gets education closer to where they live.
Since 2015, more than 20 new brick and mortar schools have been opened so far by the provincial department.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a great risk and caused many anxieties among parents, learners and educators, the provincial government is ready to deliver quality education in the 2022 academic year.
Gauteng, Lesufi said, is committed to ensuring that teaching and learning takes place on the first day of the academic year.
"The health and safety of all teachers, learners and all staff in schools are important and all schools have safety protocols in place to ensure everyone's safety."
All Gauteng schools have received all the required stationery, personal protective equipment, hygiene and sanitisation packages.
All learners eligible for vaccination are encouraged to get vaccinated and to continue wearing a mask, keeping a safe physical distance and washing hands regularly with soap and water or using a hand sanitiser.
The provincial government has implemented a school vaccination campaign targeting all eligible learners aged 12 years and older. 
To date, over 80 000 learners in Gauteng aged between 12 and 17 have been vaccinated.
Parents, caregivers and legal guardians are encouraged to have open discussions with their children about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, to help them make informed health decisions.