The Department of Basic Education has worked closely with all provinces to prepare for the reopening of schools.
“Each province, district, circuit and school must have a practical and comprehensive catch-up plan implemented,” said Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, on Thursday during a media briefing.
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“The plans must talk to the risk profiles of the areas in which schools are located, and this must be based on the infection rate in the specific geographic areas.
“We have been advised to adopt a phased approach in the reopening of schools. Uppermost in our planning, is the health and safety of our school communities, particularly learners and teachers,” she said.
As part of the department’s preparations, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was developed for the management of the coronavirus.
“We did this in consultation with the Department of Health. The SOP will provide guidelines for all administrators on the steps to be undertaken in order to prevent the spread, and manage cases of Covid-19.”
SOP include:
• Guidance for childcare facilities and schools on preventing the spread of the Covid-19.
• Role of childcare facilities and schools in responding to the pandemic.
• Management of Covid-19 cases in a childcare facility or school.
• Guidelines for heads of departments and supervisors on Covid-19 and procedures regarding employees.
• Management and monitoring of absenteeism is schools.
• Management of learner transport measures.
• Closure of a unit, component, office or department if an employee tests positive for Covid-19.
• How to clean educational establishments, where there were learners, staff members, or others, with suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19.
