The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE), MEC Fundile Gade has today conveyed a message of support and encouragement to all staff, teachers and learners in the province.

The return of schools takes place in the context of the tragedy that befell the province at the end of the term before the winter recess resulting in the deaths of 21 young people of school going age.

It was the first time today that schools opened without those learners in attendance following the mysterious death.

Gade hopes that learners who went back to school today would continue with their work and focus on their studies.

The MEC also urged parents to continue discharging their responsibility of looking and caring for their children.

"June holidays are meant to ensure learners recharge and are ready for the last lap of the academic year before the final examinations. As I welcome all the learners and teachers back from holidays, I also want to urge all those coming from initiation schools to behave in a exemplary way as they return from their initiation schools," said Gade.

"I hope those leaners who attended revision lessons during the recess period will make use of the provided information to ensure the content gap is closed in preparation for their examinations. Since the year is almost over, I urged parents to support our future leaders, these children, through ensuring they do their work and are on school on time as required."

The Department will intensify its learner support programmes to ensure that every child gets an opportunity to pass and move to the next grade or exit school with a good mark.

Issued by: ECDoE Communications for more information please contact departmental spokesperson Mr. Mali Mima @ 062 057 1591/ MEC spokesperson Ms Vuyiseka Mboxela @ 071 713 2222/Acting Director Communications: Ms Nyameka Tokwe-Mgijima @ 060 530 0348/