The Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has expressed excitement over the start of the new school year.

Steenkamp says the ministry is fully aware of the current public dialogue regarding the education system, noting that the complex system requires commitment, involvement, and action from all stakeholders to produce quality results.

The executive director has called on all involved to find context-based solutions while taking full ownership of education in the country.

She has a word of encouragement for principals, urging them to return to school with renewed energy.

"Principals are the ones that truly, with their involvement and with the mandate that they have, define, strengthen, and just articulate the enduring values and vision, the cultural strands that they embrace, the challenges of working with the community, the social units of the school—these are the things that allow for a unique identity and allow every principal a chance to truly craft centers of excellence."

The ED describes educators as the biggest and most valued resource of the education system, encouraging them to take full ownership of their professional and academic growth.

"Teachers play deliberate roles of modeling, not just attitude and behavior and strong work ethics, but also teaching and coaching at the school level. It is therefore our collective responsibility as teachers to ensure that we strengthen learners' motivation and proficiency in learning, and I would say that one of the key targets that we set for ourselves as teachers are to focus on the joy of learning and bring back that fun and joy, innovative ideas, and joined learning back into our classrooms."