Books ready for schools

TEACHERS and pupils are expected to find stationery and books at schools when they open today.

The Education Department says the materials should have been delivered last Friday.

Pupils at inland schools will reopen today and coastal schools will reopen on January 19.

More than 1million pupils are expected to start primary education. Even though the department went on a mission to register pupils last year, late registrations are expected.

Gauteng department of education spokesperson Charles Phahlane said: "We have established operation centres to deal with late registration in all our district offices.

"District offices have a database of school enrolment per grade and are best placed to find placement for pupils."

The Western Cape education department confirmed the majority of schools would reopen on January 19.

Schools were given the option of starting sooner and then taking the two extra days off in April after the Easter long weekend.