The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) has welcomed the early opening of schools for Grades 11 and 12 in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Sipho Hlomuka, the MEC for Education in KZN, conducted an oversight visit to Ekukhuleni High School and Ezakheni High School in the Uthukela District on Wednesday. 

Hlomuka stated that several high schools across the province opened earlier, specifically for gateway subjects for Grades 11 and 12 learners, ahead of the general reopening date.

Schools in the KZN province will reopen on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. 

“This was part of the provincial academic improvement strategy. The early start is one of the department’s academic support programs set to give matriculants more instructional time to prepare adequately for the 2026 academic year,” he said. 

In 2025, the KZN Department of Education had over 2.8 million learners enrolled in 5,749 public ordinary schools, 22,077 learners enrolled in 77 public special schools, and 29,454 learners in 115 independent schools.

Thirona Moodley, CEO of NAPTOSA, applauded the teachers and learners who have started the academic year earlier than most.

“It shows commitment to a successful year. It will allow learners to adjust to the academic program after a long holiday,” she said. 

Sakhile Mngadi, DA KZN spokesperson on Education, welcomed the oversight visit given the concerns highlighted by the DA in 2025 regarding management issues and administrative difficulties in uThukela.

“It was the worst performing district in the 2024 national senior certificate examinations and we hope to see improvement. These oversight visits are an important tool for ensuring issues are brought to light and resolved,” Mngadi said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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