North West Department of Education

09/09/2026

09 Lweetse 2026
Dikgaisano tsa Setswana Puo ya G*e.

Rustenburg Leo kwa Kgaolong ya Bojanala e ne e tshwere Dikgaisano tsa Mopeleto wa Setswana Puo ya G*e gompieno. Go ne ga gaisana dikolopotlana dile lesome le botlhano (15). Dikolopotlana tse, di nkgisane mogwafa kwa di PLC-(Sekete)tsa tsone mo nakong e e fetileng. Mogakolodi wa Setswana Mme Kole, o akgotse barutabana le barutwana ka tiro e e manontlhotlho e ba e dirileng mo go godiseng le go matlafatsa Puo ya G*e.

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono, continues to empower schools through the handover of digital devices to school principals.

Today, during her introductory engagement in Mahikeng, 343 Primary Schools and 149 Secondary Schools in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District received digital devices

09/09/2026

The Department of Basic Education, Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule and the North West Department of Education, Dr Desbo Mohono will be launching the "At the Crossroads", Life Orientation/Life Skills Textbook activation at Rutanang Primary School, Rustenburg on Thursday, 10 September 2026.

08/09/2026

MEC Dr Desbo Mohono Engages Principals of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District on Education Priorities

North West MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono engaged with principals from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Dr KK) District during a meet-and-greet held at Hoërskool Die Wilge in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, 08 September 2026.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the MEC to outline her vision and priorities for the Department of Education, while also assessing the district’s readiness for the upcoming final examinations and discussing key issues affecting teaching and learning.

Among the matters discussed were learner attendance, discipline in schools, respect, challenges affecting teaching and learning, and the overall performance of schools. The MEC also emphasised the importance of ensuring that schools are adequately prepared to support learners as they approach their final examinations.

Dr Mohono delivered a strong message to principals, School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and departmental officials, making it clear that poor performance and failure to fulfil their responsibilities would no longer be tolerated.

The MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono stressed that the Department could not afford to fail learners because principals and officials were not performing their duties effectively.

"Our learners cannot afford delays to be the best. Leaders should lead, teachers should teach and governing bodies should govern the schools", said MEC Dr Mohono

Dr Mohono said the Department needed to return to the basics and address areas that were not functioning as they should.

“We need to go back to the drawing board. I am not here to change anything, but I am here to rectify everything that needs to be rectified. I am going to conduct unannounced visits to schools, and I will not report to anyone when I go to schools,” said MEC Mohono.

She instructed school principals to alert their respective circuit managers that she would be conducting unannounced visits to schools as part of efforts to monitor performance, accountability and compliance.

Dr Mohono further emphasised the importance of respecting time and ensuring that teaching and learning remain the central focus of every school. She urged teachers to identify learners who are experiencing academic difficulties and ensure that they receive the necessary support to improve their performance.

Dr Mohono also called on experienced educators, particularly those with expertise in critical subjects, to return to classrooms and play a greater role in improving learner outcomes.

“We need to bring back experienced teachers who have previously taught subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Commercial subjects", highlighted Dr Mohono.

The MEC highlighted the value of experience and subject expertise in strengthening teaching and improving learner performance, particularly in subjects that remain critical to learners’ academic progression.

As part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the integration of technology into education, MEC Mohono and Mr Lengane Bogatsu the Superintendent General also handed over laptops to principals from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.

The handover is intended to strengthen the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning, while enhancing schools’ ability to integrate technology into their daily educational activities.

The engagement reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to strengthening accountability, improving teaching and learning, supporting educators and ensuring that every learner receives quality education.

The MEC urged all education stakeholders to take responsibility for their respective roles and work collectively to improve learner outcomes across the district.

08/09/2026

📚🌍 Milner High School closes International Literacy Day on a high note!

As the host school, Milner High School brought the International Literacy Day observation to a fitting close with an engaging and inspiring presentation. The learners also used the platform to advocate for a cleaner and healthier planet, reminding the audience that literacy goes beyond reading and writing it empowers young people to become responsible citizens and champions of their communities and environment. 🌱👏🏽

08/09/2026

🎭📚 Arefadimeng Secondary School brings reading to life!

Arefadimeng Secondary School learners added a touch of drama, creativity and excitement to their reading presentation, captivating the audience and demonstrating that reading can be both educational and entertaining.

Their vibrant performance showed that when learners bring stories to life, they can inspire others to develop a love for reading. 👏🏽📖

08/09/2026

Tuesday, 08 September 2026
To: All Media Houses

MEDIA STATEMENT

NORTH WEST DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONFIRMS 60 SCHOOLS DAMAGED BY SEVERE STORMS

The North West Department of Education has confirmed that 60 schools across the province have so far sustained damage following the strong and destructive winds that swept through parts of the province between 4 and 5 September 2026.

The latest assessment indicates that the damage is spread across all four education districts, with 23 schools affected in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 13 in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, 12 in the Bojanala District and 11 in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

The Department continues to assess the extent of the damage, which includes damaged roofs and the destruction of mobile classrooms and other school infrastructure.

The latest assessment comes at a particularly difficult time for the Department, which is already responding to the devastating impact of recent school fires. The storm damage has placed additional pressure on the Department’s infrastructure programme and its efforts to ensure that schools provide safe and conducive environments for teaching and learning.

The Department is, however, putting measures in place to ensure that teaching and learning continues at all affected schools, while repair work is being expedited.

The Department will work towards ensuring that all affected schools are repaired by the commencement of the fourth term, subject to the extent and nature of the damage at each school.

In cases where classrooms or mobile classrooms have been completely destroyed and cannot be used, affected learners will be accommodated at nearby schools to ensure that they continue attending classes while the necessary interventions are being implemented.

Where schools remain operational but have limited classroom space as a result of the storm damage, the Department will implement platooning arrangements to ensure that learners continue with their academic programmes.

Under the platooning system, available classrooms will be shared by dividing learners into separate time shifts. One group may attend classes during the morning session, for example from 07:45 to 12:00, while another group uses the same classrooms during an afternoon session, from approximately 13:00 to 16:15.

These arrangements will be determined according to the specific circumstances of each affected school and will be closely monitored by school management, district officials and the Department.

Importantly, Grade 12 learners will also be accommodated through these interventions to ensure that their preparation for the National Senior Certificate examinations is not compromised. The Department recognises the critical stage of the academic year and will prioritise the continuity of learning for all Grade 12 learners in affected schools.

The MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono, has expressed concern over the extensive damage caused by the severe storms and reassured school communities that the Department remains committed to restoring affected schools and minimising disruption to learning.

“We are deeply concerned by the extent of the damage caused by these destructive winds, particularly because our Department is already dealing with the impact of recent school fires. However, our focus now is on finding practical solutions that will ensure that our learners do not lose valuable teaching and learning time.

“We are working towards ensuring that all affected schools are repaired by the beginning of the fourth term. Where classrooms have been completely destroyed, we will make arrangements for learners to be accommodated at nearby schools. Where space is limited, platooning will be implemented to ensure that learners continue with their academic programmes.

“I want to particularly assure our Grade 12 learners, educators and parents that we understand the importance of this period in the academic calendar. Their learning programme must continue, and we will put the necessary measures in place to support them as they prepare for their final examinations,” highlighted MEC Dr Mohono.

The Department is working with relevant stakeholders, including infrastructure and disaster management teams, to assess the damage, prioritise urgent interventions and accelerate the repair process.

The Department will continue to monitor all affected schools and provide updates as further assessments are concluded and interventions are implemented.

The North West Department of Education remains committed to ensuring that no learner is left behind as a result of the storm damage and that every effort is made to restore safe and functional learning environments across the province.

End.

Issued by the North West Department of Education

For more information, please contact:

Ms Mercy Mokgatle
Media Liaison Officer (MLO)
Cell: 060 980 7934

Dr Elias Malindi
Head of Communication
Cell: 072 115 4855 / 072 892 8399

08/09/2026

📚🧹 A Reading Community Can Become a Clean Community!

Learners from Nkang Mahlale Secondary School believe that promoting a culture of reading can inspire communities to take greater responsibility for their surroundings. Their message highlights the powerful connection between education, responsible citizenship and clean communities.