Qaqambile Mdledle
The Department of Basic Education has released the new
school calendar for the 2021 academic year, with schools expected to reopen on
25 January 2021. 
During a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday,01 October
2020, Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga said that schools will reopen
later than planned in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with teachers set
to return on 25 January and pupils set to return on 27 January. 
“We will need to carry over some of the 2020 curriculum
work into 2021 and we have done our best to accommodate everyone’s  interests but our priority, is the learner”
said Motshekga.
The first term is expected to end on 31 March whilst the second
term will run from 13 April to 25 June, third term from 13 July to 23 September
and the fourth term would be between 5 October and 8 December. 
With the number of disruptions in learning that took place  this year, especially in the early grades,
Minister Motshekga expressed concern on the impact this might have on long-term
learning and the potential increase of inequality in learning outcomes.
“All teachers know that catching up on lost learning or
learning recovery is not a quick and  easy, process, but requires a lot of dedication
and time,” she said. 
The department is fully aware that the country needs the
school calendar for effective planning purposes, and they have worked hard to
ensure it is done properly considering the disruptions that have occurred in
2020.
She said the later start to the year is partly due to the
later matric examinations which were rescheduled to accommodate the disruptions
caused by the pandemic.