Issued by the Department of Education, Pretoria

The Department of Education has decided to support the 2006 programme of the Global Campaign for Education, under the theme of "Every Child Needs a Teacher".

In many countries, especially in Africa, children have no teachers, and this is a matter, which must be addressed by the international community, including ourselves.

Although South Africa is fortunate to have sufficient teachers for all our learners, problems of deployment and utilisation sometimes result in unacceptably large classes.

The Department has therefore directed all officials to "return to school" during the week of 24th to 30th April, and to take up normal teaching duties while there. Provincial education departments have been requested to do likewise, and many office-based educators will be returning to their former schools during the campaign.

The aim of the programme is to highlight the critical role of teachers, for the Department to become more aware of the challenges of classroom teaching within the new policy environment, and to provide support and assistance to other teachers.

The Director-General of the Department of Education, Mr Duncan Hindle will return to class at the Ithongasi Primary School, Port Shepstone in KwaZulu/Natal.

Official will also be reporting on the factors that result in large classes at some schools, and making recommendations how to ensure and equitable and effective distribution of our teachers to schools and classes.

For more information on the campaign, visit the website www.campaignforeducation.org