Schools are closed on Monday, 20 March 2023, for a planned school holiday

We are aware of concerns that have been raised about the impact of the alleged “national shutdown” planned by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Monday, 20 March 2023.

I can assure parents that public schools will be closed on Monday, 20 March 2023 – as it is a previously planned school holiday.

The school calendar is gazetted by the national minister a full year in advance, and the school calendar for 2023 indicates that all public schools in the country have a special school holiday on 20 March 2023.

This is because Tuesday, 21 March 2023, is a public holiday.

It is not clear why the EFF has threatened to close schools on a planned school holiday.

I hope this allays the concerns of the public, and especially our parents, who are worried that the EFF might put the safety of their children at risk.