Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Grade 1 pupils in Durban appeared to relish their first day at school yesterday.

At primary schools in KwaMashu, the little ones could not wait to join their new grade-one classmates while their moms were busy with their registration.

Sane Sibiya, who accompanied her six-year-old daughter Mandy to Dukemini Junior Primary School, said grade 1 children no longer cried because "these days most of the kids go to a creche or pre-school, and by the time they start school they are ready."

Registration went off smoothly at most of the schools and both teachers and pupils were eager to get to work.

Older students help their younger schoolmates by carrying their desks and chairs for them.

School principals said they were concerned about inadequate resources and working conditions.

TD Mlangeni, the principal of Dukemini Junior Primary, said her school had not received its textbooks, and that it was old and needed renovation.

"When it rains our classrooms flood, but that does not stop our children from attending," she said.