KZN Education clarifies Diwali school holiday confusion

The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department have cleared up the confusion around which schools will get a day's leave following the religious holiday on Sunday. 

The department changed tack after it was accused this week of being unfair to some schools, when it turned down their request to grant pupils and staff the day off on Monday. 

The South African Hindu Maha Sabha said on Tuesday that the Festival of Lights will be observed on Sunday.

KZN Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi made it clear though that the granting of Monday as a holiday for Hindu pupils, does not mean that matric learners will be exempt from writing Maths paper two that day.

"After elevating the matter with the head of department, he gave permission to the district directors to grant [a day off to] all schools that have applied for Monday, with the challenge that some of the learners will not be a full day, because some will have to go and write Maths paper two with some educators that will be invigilating."

"But, after discussing the matter with him it was then resolved that there should not be a discrepancy where some schools are allowed, and some are not granted permission. So, all of them that have applied are going to be given permission," he said.