Beaming with pride owing to the marked improvements of provincial results since her appointment in 2022, MEC for Education in the North West Province, Ms Ntsetsao Viola Motsumi, welcomed the Basic Education Portfolio Committee and DBE delegation during their state-of-school readiness oversight to the province.

During the recent National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, the North West achieved 81.6%, an increase of 1.8% from 2022, placing them at position four on the list of best performing provinces during the announcement of the NSC results for the Class of 2023.

The province is divided into four districts, namely the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and the Bojanala District, the largest district in the province totalling 1,475 schools. MEC Motsumi stated her commitment to improving on the results during the 2024 academic year, congratulated her team for their continued efforts and commitment, and appealed for the improvement of results of the Bojanala District in particular. She also announced her wish for the vacancy of Head of Department (HoD) to be filled as a matter of urgency. “There is a disjuncture between the province and the districts, and this challenge must be addressed during the 2024 financial year,” she added.

For the start of the new academic year, reports received on learners and teacher attendance have been satisfactory.

On the migration shift, the province indicated that all officials from the Department of Social Services (DSD) were placed and that budget, HR matters, equipment, materials and infrastructure related matters were resolved; but there is a need for additional and continuous support to all ECD Centres.

The PED has eradicated all traditional pit latrines in public ordinary schools and is currently demolishing traditional pit latrines, which were not taken down after the establishment of modern sanitation facilities.

On the delivery of LTSM and textbooks to schools, a 95% delivery rate has been achieved with a total of 1,954,612 textbooks ordered and 1,860,333 delivered. The delivery of Volume 1 workbooks for Grades 1 – 9 and Grade R (1 and 2) books to schools is at 98%, with the delivery of the remaining 29 schools being finalised. The delivery of Volume 2 workbooks for Grades 1 – 9 and Grade R (1 and 2) books to schools are at 30.5%.

The feeding of eligible learners through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) commenced smoothly as from 17 January 2024, and the province is currently feeding 748,959 learners in 1,322 Quintile 1 to 3 public primary and secondary schools and Learners with Special Education Needs in 24 identified schools. Breakfast is served in 300 selected and secondary schools. All 371 secondary schools have commenced with the chicken liver feeding project since October 2023, with a total of 70 primary schools being part of the pilot project. In addition, a total number of 4,535 Voluntary Food Handlers have been employed to prepare meals for learners.

Currently, 58,979 learners are benefitting from learner transport and closer communication with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA) is suggested to address challenges and contractual issues.

The province has a total of 32 special schools, and 15 with hostel facilities. Safety has been enhanced and LTSM, transport and assistive devices have been provided.

The NW province also provided updates on the PYEI, Learner Support Programmes and learner attainment strategies for 2024, along with support for Home Language and tracking.