Tag Archives: The North West MEC for Education

Motsumi deeply concerned about ongoing community protests

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi

By BAKANG MOKOTO

23 July 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she is deeply concerned about ongoing community protests in Tshunyane village that have blocked access to Seshupo Primary School and nearby schools. Motsumi said her department strongly condemns any actions that stop learners from attending school and interfere with their right to education.

“For months, the department has been working with the Tshunyane community to address urgent repairs at Seshupo Primary School, which was badly damaged in recent storms. A contractor has been appointed to carry out the repairs. The renovation update is that the appointed contractor has completed the assessment and inspections of the buildings to be renovated.

“Major renovations are expected to begin within two weeks. The contractor has already built an ablution block at the school. Additionally, the department has provided a borehole to ensure the school does not face water shortages, as the village has limited water supply,” she said.

Motsumi further said, however, disagreements within the community have made the situation difficult. She added some groups want a new school built instead of the approved repairs, causing tensions and unrest.

“Due to increasing violence from protesters outside the school, the school was temporarily closed from the opening of the third quarter to keep learners and teachers safe. We called for calm and unity, stressing the need for stability for the whole community’s well being and progress.

 “It’s unacceptable for any group to use intimidation or violence to push their own agenda at the expense of children’s education. We urge everyone to come back to the negotiation table and work together for the benefit of our learners,” said Motsumi.

She said the department remains committed to improving education and school facilities in Tshunyane and asks community leaders to help restore peace so schools can reopen immediately

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North West Schools Ready to Reopen for Third Term

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi

By REGINALD KANYANE

22 July 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said is pleased to announce its readiness to reopen schools for the third quarter of the 2025 academic year, following the winter break. Motsumi has extended her heartfelt appreciation to the school community for their role in ensuring a productive and safe school environment during the holidays.

“We commend school principals, teachers, and Grade 12 learners for their commitment to the success of the winter camps held across the province. These camps were aimed at intensifying academic revision and improving learner performance ahead of the final examinations for the Class of 2025.

“I wish to take this time to thank principals, teachers, and the class of 2025 for their dedication shown during the winter camps as we approach the final stretch of the academic year,” she said.

Motsumi further said she also thanked the parents and guardians for providing care and support to younger learners during the school holidays, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while schools were closed. She said as schools reopen, they urge all parents to ensure that learners return to school on the very first day of the new term which is Tuesday.

“The third quarter is a critical period and we want to hit the ground running to strengthen learner performance across all grades. The department has completed all necessary preparations to ensure a smooth reopening, including the readiness of school infrastructure, learner-teacher support materials (LTSM), scholar transport, and school nutrition services.

“We wish all learners and teachers a productive and focused start to the third term,” said Motsumi.

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Motsumi hand over a school worth R69m

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Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

10 July 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi officially handed over the newly-constructed Tlakgameng Primary School in Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa. Motsumi said the milestone marks a significant investment in education, with the school valued at R69.8 million.

She further said the newly-built Tlakgameng Primary School features 21 classrooms, a fully equipped library, a science laboratory, a Grade R facility, an administration block, security fencing, and a nutrition center, all designed to improve the learning environment for learners. Motsumi added that the facility is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to enhancing school infrastructure across the province.

“The community and school leadership play a critical role in maintaining the school’s facilities. It is essential that we all take collective responsibility to care for this school. I urge the community, learners, and School Governing Body (SGB) to safeguard this school against theft and vandalism.

“We also appeal to all stakeholders to respect the teaching and learning process and avoid disruptions, particularly during service delivery protests. The handover of Tlakgameng Primary School is one of several planned during Mandela Month, reinforcing the province’s dedication to providing quality education and nurturing safe, supportive learning environments,” she said.

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Motsumi to hand over newly-built school

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Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 July 2025- In the efforts to address the infrastructure backlogs experienced in the province, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she will hand over a newly-built school to the community. Motsumi said the handover will take place at Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa on 10 July 2025 at 9am.

“The handover programme will be rolled out even to other districts. The department is optimistic about addressing the infrastructure backlogs experienced in the province.

“My key priority is to ensure that we improve the conditions of learning and teaching of our children. This programme will be multiplied to reach out to other districts,” she said.

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North West Department of Education to introduce newly-appointed Superintendent-General

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Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

24 June 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she will introduce the newly-appointed Superintendent General to the school principals and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) on 26 June 2025. Motsumi said the meeting will take place at the Mmabatho Convention Centre, Mahikeng at 9am.

“During the event, the Superintendent General will present the department’s vision and strategic plan for the next five years, outlining key priorities and initiatives aimed at improving education outcomes across the province,” she said.

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Over 13 000 young people benefit from BEEI  

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Picture: The teacher assistant in class/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

12 June 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they gathered stakeholders at Sun City Resort to launch the 5th phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI). Motsumi said this programme places assistants in schools across the province, offering young people valuable work experience while supporting the education system.

She further said BEEI targets youth aged 18 to 34, providing a stipend of R4000 per month for six months. Motsumi added that applicants must be under 35 by the end of March 2026.

“The programme aims to empower 13 200 young people with hands-on experience in schools and help ease staff shortages. We must ensure equal opportunities for disabled youth and women.

“Schools should prioritize hiring young people from their local communities to encourage growth and development in our province,” she said.

Motsumi said the department remains committed to improving youth employment and education through initiatives like BEEI. She said by investing in young assistants, the program enhances learning environments and helps reduce youth unemployment in the North West.

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Motsumi addresses project challenges at Mphe Bana 2 Secondary School   

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 May 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi visited Mphe Bana 2 Secondary School in Reagile Township, near Koster, to follow up on the ongoing construction delays and quality concerns at the site. The visit comes after a recent meeting held under the Thuntsa Lerole Programme, where local business representatives and the primary contractor discussed project challenges.

Motsumi said construction of Mphe Bana 2 Secondary School began in 2022 with an expected completion date in September 2024. She said, however, the project remains unfinished, raising concerns about workmanship and management.

“We express serious disappointment regarding the poor quality of work and multiple defaults observed at the site. We urge the main contractor to rectify these issues and ensure that all construction complies fully with the department’s standards and scope of work.

“During the follow-up meeting, local contractors highlighted difficulties in receiving payments from the main contractor, a factor that has further delayed progress,” said Motsumi.

She further announced a decisive step to protect the interests of local businesses. Motsumi added that, to safeguard the local contractors and ensure timely project completion, all outstanding payments from the main contractor will be redirected through the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) directly into the accounts of the local contractors.  

“This move aims to prevent contractors from being left unpaid and to accelerate the completion of the school. We reaffirm the department’s commitment to delivering quality education infrastructure on time and stress the importance of supporting local enterprises in the region of Bojanala and North West at large,” she said.

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North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi acknowledges scholar transport challenges

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi

By REGINALD KANYANE

5 May 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, briefly appeared before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on 29 and 30 April 2025, during a two-day investigative enquiry into the province’s scholar transport challenges in Mafikeng. The enquiry convened by the SAHRC sought to examine and assess the systemic issues affecting the provision of learner transport across the province, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas.

This follows numerous complaints about the inadequate, unreliable and often unsafe scholar transport services that threaten learners’ rights to education, safety and dignity as enshrined in the constitution.

Motsumi said she acknowledges the challenges and explained the structural complications as the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA) is responsible for learner transport, while the learners fall under the North West Department of Education.

“We acknowledge the concern and aim to fast-track the review of the Memorandum of Understanding with COSATMA. We understand and support the SAHRC’s stance because this is fundamentally about the constitutional rights of our learners.

“Unreliable and unsafe scholar transport undermines those rights and negatively impacts learner attendance, safety and performance. We acknowledge the real and pressing challenges concerning scholar transport in our province,” she said.

Motsumi further said the current arrangement, where the Department of Education is responsible for learners, but the transport function lies with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, has created a fragmented approach that needs urgent resolution. She added that the Department of Education will fast-track the review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with COSATMA to reflect the practical and lasting solutions that emerged during the enquiry.

“The department is committed to continue with implementative engagements to ensure learner safety, restore dignity in service delivery and promote consistent school attendance among learners,” said Motsumi.

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North West Provincial Team secures 3rd position

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Picture: The North West Provincial Team/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

25 March 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she is pleased to announce that the North West Provincial Team has secured 3rd place at the National Primary Schools Track and Field Championships, held at Germiston Stadium from 20 to 22 March 2025. Motsumi said the team’s impressive performance is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and teamwork displayed by the learners and coaches.

She further said her department is proud to recognize their efforts and congratulates the team on their outstanding achievement. Motsumi added that they are incredibly proud of the team for securing third place at the national championships.

“This is a remarkable achievement, and we are grateful for the hard work and dedication displayed by our learners and coaches. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated educators and supportive parents who have played a vital role in nurturing and guiding our young champions.

“The North West Department of Education wishes to extend its congratulations to the North West Provincial Team on their outstanding achievement and wishes them continued success in their future endeavours,” she said.

Meanwhile, the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships are expected to take place in Bloemfontein in the first week of April 2025.

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