The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is assessing the impact of the anti-illegal immigration marches held on 30 June on learner attendance and the overall wellbeing of pupils across the province.
The department says district managers are working closely with circuit supervisors and school principals to evaluate whether the demonstrations had any effect on schools after learners returned from the mid-year holidays.
Although schools were closed when thousands of people participated in anti-illegal immigration marches across the country, the department says its review will examine whether the protests had any lasting impact once the new school term began.
The assessment will focus on learner attendance, access to learning and teaching materials, psycho-social wellbeing, and other factors that may have affected the schooling environment.
According to the department, the review will include undocumented South African learners, documented foreign-national learners, and undocumented foreign-national pupils to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Officials say the findings will help identify gaps and vulnerabilities within the education system and inform immediate intervention measures in line with national and provincial inclusive education policies.
The department has also called on parents and guardians to ensure that all learners residing in South Africa have the necessary legal documentation to support their enrolment and continued access to education.