Schools in Springs are getting ready to open their doors after they closed 68 days ago.
Initially schools were meant to reopen after the Easter Holidays, but due to the extension of the lockdown schools remained closed.
However, the reopening for schools next Monday is only meant for Grades Seven and 12.
The Department of Education has implemented a staggered approach in reopening schools.
On Monday, government schools such as Springs Secondary School and Laerskool Werda reported having received their personal protective equipment for their school’s management teams from the Gauteng Department of Education.
The equipment for learners was set to arrive later during the week.
Laerskool Selection Park was in the process of sanitising their school when The Addie visited the school on Monday morning.
Jacques Richardson says his company was using a fogging process to sanitise the school.
“Thermal fogging is the process where a product is heated and sprayed in a fog form.
“Everything it touches will be sanitised,” explained Richardson.
Richardson and his team were sanitising the classrooms, offices and playground in preparation for the Grade Seven’s coming back.
Elsewhere, Hoërskool Hugenote was also sanitising the school to get it ready for the Grade 12 learners.
Laerskool Werda were also hard at work on Monday cleaning the school and grounds and setting up the classrooms.
“We will have a maximum of 20 learners per classroom and will sanitise everything on Wednesday,” says principal Renè Theron.
Veritas College has also sanitised their classrooms and laboratories.
Acting principal Judy Achary says remote learning has gone very well during the lockdown period.
“All our lessons have been live streamed and recorded for learners who cannot be online at the time.
“We have covered the curriculum and have also done assessments,” says Archary.
At all the schools inspected on Monday, they have strict entry control.
Masks were mandatory, hands were sanitised either at the gate or front desk.
At reception, there was a questionnaire that included reason for visit, contacts details and medical history.
However, not all parents are happy about the schools reopening.
There are those who feel it is not yet safe for their children to go back due to the number of Covid-19 cases.
Others are worried because they have underlying conditions themselves and fear their children will be exposed and bring the infection home to them.
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“My sister and I both have diabetes so we’re high risk.
“Until this whole thing is over, we’re going to be homeschooling my daughter,” says Morgan Govender.
Schools said provisions would be made for those children and their staff over 60 and those with underlying conditions.
Another group of parents are unhappy about the presence of the Covid-19 Youth Brigade.
The programme will see unemployed youth brought in to assist the department to curb the spread of the virus at schools and government offices.
Recruited youth will be deployed to different schools and government buildings across the province to assist with screenings, data capturing and monitoring compliance.
Parents are divided about the deployment of the youths into schools.
Some see it as a Nazi Youth brigade and the start of a Hilter-like movement in SA, others are open to the idea of them.
“The schools need all the help they can get to help make sure the children do what they’re supposed to.
“We know they don’t listen to their teachers and they can’t be everywhere at the same time,” says Mhlongo.
Also read: How SPARK Schools and Ignite Education Fund are helping parents affected by Covid-19
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