By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Smiles, confidence and calm classrooms marked the first day of Grade R in Mabolela and Phuthaditjhaba, with teachers confirming learners arrived emotionally ready and disciplined, clear evidence of strong early childhood development (ECD) attendance.
At Letotolo Primary School in Mabolela, Tlhonolofatso Moloi and Tsireletso Nkgoka of the 2026 Grade R class told The Guard they had a good first day and were not scared of their new teacher.
Grade R teacher Maria Xaba said the learners’ behaviour stood out. “The kids were well behaved. There was no biting, kicking or running away from us. It was clear that they come from creche,” Xaba said.
A similar picture emerged at Sentinel Primary School. Nomasonto Nhlapo, grandmother to Onalerona Phindile Mokoena, said the child was eager to start school.
“Onalerona didn’t cry at all. She woke me up early saying it’s time to go to school, and even after school she looks happy and unbothered,” Nhlapo said.
Sentinel Grade R teacher Refilwe Rabolinyane added that the learners arrived confident and ready.
“The children looked very sweet in their Sentinel uniform and they were ready. It shows they come from creche,” she said.
The smooth start reflects growing classroom readiness as more children benefit from early learning. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, addressing the NSC matric results, said government had shifted the system towards early learning “in the years when inequality either takes root or is dismantled,” and had strengthened access, quality and readiness.
She said more than 12,000 ECD centres were registered in 2025, bringing the total to over 33,000 and enabling more than a million children to access subsidies that support nutrition and quality early learning.
Gwarube acknowledged the sector is built by mothers, grandmothers, aunts and caregivers in villages, townships and towns, pledging government support to strengthen, not replace, their work.
