With the return of Grade Seven and 12 learners to schools, local schools were hard at work preparing the facilities for learners.
The two grades returned to school on June 8 as part of a phased-in process established in response to dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Being stuck at home, educators and learners were forced to adapt to new teaching and learning methods.
Primary schools
Principal of Hurlyvale Primary School Trevor Thom explained that with the lockdown in place, the school had to make greater use of technology to educate learners.
“At the moment all of our grades are on track with their curriculum. About 97 per cent of our learners have access to technology, which has allowed them to continue with their schoolwork.”
Thom said the remaining three per cent of learners were provided with workbooks that were printed and delivered to them.
“The lockdown created a need for out-of-the-box thinking and has seen leaders rise in each grade’s teachers.”
During the lockdown, teachers had and will continue to have direct contact with the parents to ensure learners stick to the curriculum.
Thom said during lockdown, teachers were able to empower and advance themselves with Google training.
With the return of learners, Hurlyvale Primary made sure it met the requirements set out by government.
“A deep clean was done at the school on the weekend before June 1 to ensure the school was as clean as possible. School staff were provided with personal protection equipment (PPE), which was bought by the governing body.”
Before learners are granted access to the school at the Gibson Road entrance, they will have to wait in line and practise social distancing. Their temperature will be taken and they will sanitise.
If a learner’s temperature is above 38 degrees, their parent or guardian will be called to take them to a doctor or medical practitioner.
“Classes were divided to ensure there are fewer learners in a class and social distancing is practised.”
Thom said on average there are 32 learners per class, which were split in half. He said the number of learners in class will depend on how many returned to school.
“When Grade Seven learners return, Grade Five teachers will assist the Grade Seven teachers. Instead of the learners travelling between classes for their subjects, teachers will change classrooms.”
He said to ensure the Grade Seven learners and other learners who are not at school stick to their curriculum, the school will carry on with its online education programme.
Speaking on assisting families in need, Thom said the school has a feeding programme in place with the assistance of Karaglen Superspar to ensure learners have a meal at school.
The programme was started four years ago.
Like the feeding programme, Thom advised parents who may be experiencing financial difficulty to phone the school and inform them.
“What has been good is the fantastic support from the parents of learners and the governing body,” said Thom.
“The support from the learners’ parents has been tremendous.”
High schools
Principal of Edenvale High School Dr Larry Harmer said to ensure teachers continue teaching learners, they received the necessary IT training to create digital assessments.
Harmer said the school was making use of Google Classroom two years ago already.
“All grades are up to date on their syllabus and work will continue to be uploaded. Although most subjects teachers will just upload the content, some teachers, specifically in the maths department, are considering using their webcams during lessons.”
Harmer said with over 230 matric learners, the school’s life orientation department conducted an online surevey to determine how learners felt about returning to school.
“Fifty per cent of the learners said they were comfortable returning, 43 per cent were apprehensive but willing to return if the necessary precautions were in place. The remaining seven per cent were not comfortable to return to school,” said Harmer.
“The learners want to return to school and we want to make sure the school is as safe as possible for them.”
Before learners returned to school it was deep-cleaned and all of its surfaces sanitised by ground staff.
Harmer said the temperature of matrics will be taken daily to ensure nobody’s is over 38 degrees.
Learners will be sanitised and paper towels will be provided in each class.
He emphasised that social distancing will be enforced and the school will use a “stay left in single file” policy in the corridors and on stairwells.
“For teaching purposes, lessons include exam methods which will see learners spaced apart as per the regulations.”
In terms of online education, if a teacher notices a learner is not spending enough time online, an enquiry is sent to their parent or guardian to address the matter.
“Edenvale High recently welcomed a doctor to the school to train staff on the virus and give them the necessary tools to cope with the situation mentally. Matrics and staff will be required to wear masks when they are at school.”
Harmer said the school has amended its code of conduct accordingly to ensure those who disobey regulations receive the maximum penalty.
As the lockdown has significantly impacted the financial stability of many parents, the school has a feeding programme in partnership with Tabitha House.
The school collects and distributes donations from the community to families in need every two weeks.
“If a learner does not have lunch, it must be brought to a teacher’s attention.
Parents continue to pay school fees and Edenvale High still has all of its teachers.
“School fee payments have not been an issue, but if parents find themselves in a difficult situation they need to contact the school,” said Harmer.
