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Fifty-nine learners in Giyani were taken to hospital when they fell ill after eating food provided under their primary school’s nutrition programme as well as snacks. (Limpopo Health Department)

59 learners in Giyani taken to hospital after eating food at school

The pupils fell ill after consuming a meal provided under the school’s nutrition programme and snacks

(John McCann/M&G)

Vocational education in the doldrums

The TVET colleges’ appalling results on vocational studies could jeopardise the three-stream model’s objectives

(John McCann/M&G)

Low-fee independent schools ignored

These schools cater for the poorest urban learners but they are battling to keep their doors open.

(John McCann/M&G)

The girl who fell out of school

The Free State education department and a special needs school have failed to enrol a pupil in class despite a court ordering them to do so

The challenge is multifaceted. It’s about infrastructure, qualified teachers, nutrition, safety, inclusive learning materials and, above all, political will and national coordination. (John McCann/M&G)

Human lives matter more than education, but humans can still learn

The lockdown has exposed gross inequalities in education and society, but also gives us the opportunity to find new solutions

The panel was moderated by Robert Shivambu (far left) and included, from left, Elijah Mhlanga from the DBE, Matakanye Matakanya of the NASGB, education activist Ayanda Makebenge, Shenilla Mohamed of Amnesty International South Africa, and Samantha Brener of Section27. (Amnesty International)

South Africa’s education system is broken and unequal, and must be fixed without further delay

The Amnesty International report found that the South African government continues to miss its own education upgrading targets

The task team set up by Angie Motshekga

‘Move away from shallow history’

The basic education department’s task team says a deeper connection to the subject must be nurtured

Isaac ‘Blackie’ Seoe

Magashule associate convicted over corrupt tender

The court found Mohlouoa “Blacky” Seoe guilty of bribing Lioma in order to influence a tender for learning materials

Midnight deadline for Gauteng school applications

More than 11 000 pupils yet to be placed in Western Cape schools

"About 130 000 learners from other provinces and 2 000 learners from other countries have relocated to the Western Cape"

The South American side finished with six points and Japan ended on four points

Manana’s Cubana assault co-accused to plead guilty

​The two men believed to have taken part in former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana’s assault on three women will plead guilty.

Learning on an empty stomach: food insecurity hits students hard

Religious and nonprofit groups play an important role in providing food to students, but sometimes this is not enough.

For as long as this goes on, the harder it is for us as a family to move on, said Michael Komape’s father

Three years on and no compensation for Limpopo family whose child ‘died like a dog’

Education authorities face R1.5bn worth of claims, with Limpopo being the worst culprit.

According to a university report

Department assets attached after teachers not paid

The basic education department owed R28-million to Eastern Cape teachers, resulting in its assets being attached.

Sadtu threatens KZN education dept with mass action

Sadtu has vowed to strike if the education department doesn’t address what the union’s long-standing issues, such as unpaid salaries.

School children.(Shelley Christians)

Editorial: Government must answer on education

Education prospects are looking grim for South Africa’s school pupils, and government is now compelled to respond. What is its diagnosis?

M&G Hangout: EC schools left in the dark

We speak to our education reporter about her experience in the Eastern Cape where too few teachers and appalling toilets seem to have become the norm.

One of the solutions to alleviating poverty

World Bank: Education the only way to reverse inequality in SA

A sobering World Bank report has found that poor South African kids are unlikely to escape poverty due to persistent social and economic inequalities.

Limpopo’s former education administrator Anis Karodia has blamed Dickson Masemola for the province’s textbook problems.

Masemola: Unfair to blame me for textbook debacle

Limpopo’s education minister Dickson Masemola says it is "unfair" that he is being blamed for the Limpopo textbook saga.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. (Thuli Dlamini, Gallo)

Vavi: Dysfunctional education system keeps apartheid alive

Apartheid will not end and black people will not have real freedom until free and high quality education becomes a reality, says Zwelinzima Vavi.

Senzo Mchunu. (M&G)

A well-educated, skilled and highly developed citizenry

Below is a shortened version of the Budget Speech presented by MEC Senzo Mchunu on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.