THE KwaZulu-Natal department of education yesterday assured the public that the month-long school holidays during the World Cup would not interrupt education in the province.

THE KwaZulu-Natal department of education yesterday assured the public that the month-long school holidays during the World Cup would not interrupt education in the province.

The assurance was given by the department's Sihle Mlotshwa in response to parents' concerns over the lengthy break. Learners will enjoy an extra week to their winter holidays during the spectacular.

Mlotshwa said the department had programmes in place to compensate for lost time.

" The programmes will ensure that learners, especially matriculants, are not affected by the long break. We are will continue with our yearly winter weekend classes," Mlotshwa said.

He said the department would monitor academic and management progress at all the province's schools.

He said the department expected good results at all levels of learning, not only in matric.

Mlotshwa also said education MEC Senzo Mchunu would make "unannounced visits" to schools in the province.

"The surprise visits will form part of the department's plan to ensure that learners attended school and are taught relevant things," Mlotshwa said.

Mandla Madinane, a parent of a Grade 11 learner, said: "The time my child will spend at home is worrying but I have encouraged him and his peers to keep themselves busy by using our local library."

Meanwhile, Allen Thompson of the National Teachers' Union said to help learners "catch up on the lost time we will encourage teachers to host winter classes" despite the World Cup.

He also promised that teachers in the province would put in an extra effort to ensure that learners were ready for the exams.