The
2025 academic year commenced with excitement and purpose as schools across
Gauteng reopened on 15 January 2025. The Gauteng Provincial Government
demonstrated its commitment to quality education by rolling out a robust school
readiness plan to the Executive Council, ensuring that teaching and learning
began seamlessly on the first day.
The
readiness plan addressed critical indicators such as basic functionality,
leadership and management, governance, curriculum provisioning, infrastructure,
safety, and community engagement. To further solidify this, Members of the
Executive Council (Exco) were deployed to schools across the province to
monitor and support readiness efforts.
The
Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) departments conducted oversight visits to
four public ordinary schools and a registered Early Childhood Development
Centre. The visits focused on high-risk schools with safety concerns and
underperforming schools to intensify monitoring and support. The objectives of
these visits included ensuring effective teaching and learning from day one,
confirming the availability of resources, and promoting discipline and safety
in schools. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of education
as a priority for the province and the nation.
Gauteng
Premier, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, led by example by visiting Raymond Mhlaba School of
Specialisation and Lufhereng Secondary School on the first day of the academic
year. These visits highlighted the province’s commitment to addressing
education and community challenges. At Raymond Mhlaba, the Premier celebrated
the school’s remarkable 86% matric pass rate for the 2024 academic year,
describing it as a beacon of hope in the township. “This school holds a special
place in my heart and that of the provincial government,” said the Premier,
reflecting on the school’s name, honouring the legendary political activist
Ntate Raymond Mhlaba.
Premier
Lesufi also addressed critical issues, discouraging drug and alcohol abuse on
school premises and advocating for the eradication of gender-based violence.
“We are planting seeds of a new generation of thinkers who will elevate the
economy by becoming employers,” he said.
 
At
Lufhereng Secondary School, the Premier was equally impressed, applauding the
school for achieving 160 bachelor entry passes and 5 diploma entry passes from
165 matriculants in 2024. During his visit, he handed certificates of
excellence to the school principals and School Governing Body (SGB)
chairpersons, including Ms Angie Mokiti (Raymond Mhlaba) and Ms Elsie
Mphahlele-Sebongwang (Lufhereng).
In a
heartfelt moment, the Premier expressed gratitude to District Director Mr
Lehlohonolo Ramokhoase for steering Gauteng’s top-performing district. He also
commended the teachers for their unwavering dedication despite challenging
circumstances. “Without the hard work of our teachers, these incredible
achievements would not have been possible,” the Premier remarked.
Central
to these efforts is the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign, which aims to
educate citizens on the importance of education and their roles in supporting
it, mobilise communities to monitor and assist schools, teachers, and learners,
improve the quality of education, particularly for underprivileged children,
and demonstrate improved outcomes through better learner achievements.
The
opening of the 2025 academic year reflects Gauteng’s commitment to ensuring a
quality education system that benefits every learner. Through dedicated
oversight, leadership, and community involvement, the province is laying a
solid foundation for the future. The success of this campaign is a testament to
the power of collaboration between government, schools, and communities. Let us
continue working together to make education in Gauteng a success story for
generations to come.