News
KZN’s Early School Start Gives Matric Learners a Head Start on 2026
A quieter start that could make a loud difference
While most South African learners are still easing out of holiday mode, parts of KwaZulu-Natal are already back in class. Selected high schools across the province have quietly opened their doors early for Grade 11 and 12 learners, focusing on key gateway subjects. It is a move that education leaders believe could shift the tone of the entire 2026 academic year.
The decision has been welcomed by teachers’ unions and opposition parties alike, not because it looks dramatic, but because it is practical. More time in class often means fewer gaps later on, especially for matric learners facing one of the most demanding academic years of their lives.
Inside the province’s early start strategy
The early opening forms part of KwaZulu-Natal’s broader academic improvement plan. According to Sipho Hlomuka, the province’s MEC for Education, the goal is simple. Give senior learners more instructional time before pressure peaks.
During an oversight visit to Ekukhuleni High School and Ezakheni High School in the Uthukela District, Hlomuka explained that the early start targets subjects that often determine whether learners pass or struggle later in the year. For many schools, this means mathematics, science, and other high-stakes subjects that benefit from steady pacing rather than rushed revision.
All public schools in KwaZulu-Natal are scheduled to reopen fully on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. Until then, the early programme is limited to specific grades and subjects.
Teachers say the timing matters
The move has earned praise from the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa. CEO Thirona Moodley described the early return as a sign of commitment from both teachers and learners.
After a long December break, many learners struggle to readjust to routines. Starting earlier, even in a limited way, helps rebuild discipline and academic focus before the full timetable kicks in. Teachers on social media have echoed this sentiment, with several noting that early sessions feel calmer and more productive than the chaotic first weeks of a normal reopening.
Why Uthukela is under the spotlight
The choice of Uthukela for high-profile oversight visits was no accident. The district was the worst-performing area in the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations. Administrative challenges and management concerns were repeatedly raised throughout 2025.
Democratic Alliance spokesperson for education in KwaZulu-Natal, Sakhile Mngadi, welcomed the visits, saying accountability is long overdue. Oversight, he argued, is essential if persistent issues are to be addressed before they damage another cohort of matric learners.
A province carrying a heavy education load
KwaZulu-Natal’s education system is one of the largest in the country. In 2025 alone, the provincial department recorded over 2.8 million learners across 5,749 public ordinary schools. There were also more than 22,000 learners in public special schools and close to 30,000 in independent institutions.
Against those numbers, even small improvements in planning can have a significant impact. An extra week or two of structured learning for senior grades may not grab headlines, but it can change outcomes on the ground.
A quiet shift with long-term potential
The early opening is not a silver bullet. It will not fix infrastructure backlogs or staffing shortages overnight. But it signals a shift in how the province approaches exam preparation. Instead of reacting late, the system is nudging learners into the academic year with intention.
For matriculants in KwaZulu-Natal, that head start could be the difference between scrambling and settling. Sometimes progress begins not with big announcements, but with classrooms that simply open a little earlier than usual.
Also read: ‘We were misled’: Families speak as South Africans detained in Thailand
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: SABC News
