​Rofhiwa Marubini
The Gauteng Department of Education is preparing for the resumption of schooling for Grades R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11 on 24 August 2020 and Grades 5 and 8 on 31 August 2020.
Speaking at the Gauteng COVID-19 Command Council press briefing on Thursday 13 August,
Premier Makhura said all schools will write their trial examinations from September and end no later than the first week of October.
Grade 12 exams will start on 5 November and conclude on 15 December 2020. The schools will close for the 2020 academic year on 15 December 2020 and reopen on 25 January 2021 for teachers, and later, learners.
Grade 12 exams marking will conclude on 22 January 2021 and their results will be released on 23 February 2021.
During the media update, is was also announced that the Department of Basic Education has issued Circular S2 of 2020 which released the Revised Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs) per subject per grade for implementation.
The circular highlights plans of recovering lost academic time due to COVID-19,  the reorganization and trimming of the ATPs and the creation of the required enabling conditions to ensure a safe and secure return of learners and teachers to school after the nationwide lockdown.
It was also announced that the curriculum is being adjusted for Grades R to 11 based on Phase 1 of the Revised Annual Teaching Plans (Circular S2 DBE), Phase 2 - teacher Guidelines & Fundamental Content and Skills (Circular S3 DBE) and Phase 3 - risk-level Adjusted Subject Planning.
Meanwhile Grade 7 and 12 learners returned to school on 3 and 11 August 2020.