SOUTH AFRICA - BASIC EDUCATION DEPT DEFENDS DECISION TO CANCEL OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

The Basic Education Department has defended its plan to cancel the October school holiday, saying it is important for schools to make up for lost teaching time. 

It says it has been consulting education stakeholders on its plan and will make an announcement soon.

National Association of School Governing Bodies says it's informed the department of its objection to the planned cancellation of the school holiday. 

The association's Secretary-General, Matakanye Matakanye says scrapping the holiday would harm an already fragile education system.