The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, and North West MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono, joined partners at Rutanang Primary School in the Boitshoko Circuit, Bojanala District, on 10 September 2026, to launch the At the Crossroads Life Orientation/Life Skills Textbook Activation.

The initiative equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and values to make safer, healthier, and more empowered choices, while strengthening Life Orientation and Life Skills education for a safer, healthier, and brighter tomorrow.

The activation brings together the Department of Basic Education, the North West Department of Education and partners in support of education, empowering learners to navigate choices, values and their future with confidence.

Mr Likho Bottoman, DBE Director, Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, provided an overview of the Life Orientation (LO) and Life Skills (LS) textbook series, highlighting the importance of equipping learners with the knowledge and understanding they need to navigate life experiences, social challenges and important decisions from an early age.

Ms Ntongolozi Bembe from the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) outlined the rollout of the project, highlighting the multi-year collaboration with partners supporting the development, distribution, training and effective use of the textbooks in schools.

The rollout progresses from pilot implementation towards system-wide impact, with a focus on strengthening educator capacity, improving classroom delivery and supporting quality teaching and learning through structured, relevant and age-appropriate resources.

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