Countless parents, educators, learners and many other basic education stakeholders were glued to their screens for clarity on when learners will be returning to schools.
Basic Education minister Angie Motshekga announced the proposed date for the reopening of schools for Grade Seven and 12 learners on April 30.
According to the minister, the senior classes are likely to be going back to school on June 1.
Local schools Holy Rosary School (HRS), St Benedict’s College and Modderfontein Academy spoke more on the possible reopening of schools and what they have planned in this regard.
Holy Rosary School
Head of HRS Jacinta Lucas said reopening schools too soon could have a catastrophic impact on the progression of the pandemic in our country.
“The first two weeks of the HRS Digital Schooling (DigiSchool) have been a huge success; we will continue with the DigiSchool. For the physical reopening of the school we will adopt a cautious and measured approach.”
Lucas said even when schools are allowed to open there will be families who would prefer that their children remain at home.
“We will ensure that children who continue to stay at home once schools re-open will still have access to our DigiSchool.”
Currently, the school is preparing for the physical reopening of the campus by ensuring that all the necessary cleaning and hygiene measures are in place.
“The protocol for infection prevention and control at the school will be well-communicated to all learners, staff and parents in advance of their physical return,” said the school head.
According to Lucas, this will include the implementation of strict physical distancing, regular hand-washing and sanitising of surfaces in the school, regular temperature checks, an infection register and self-quarantine in the case of family infection and mass screenings when necessary.
“Our approach in this regard will be aligned with the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa recommendations, from minister Motshekga.”
St Benedict’s
According to head of marketing at St Benedict’s Mpumi Motshabi, the college is co-creating, with parents, a reopening plan which prioritises the basic human needs of their boys and parents over academic needs.
“We plan for dual on-site and remote learning to allow parents the right to retain their children at home should they prefer. In the meantime, learning has continued at St Benedict’s, with all our learners being taught remotely by our outstanding teachers.”
Motshabi said the college has a team dedicated to health and safety who have ensured that their facilities have been deep-cleaned.
“The team have ensured that there are sanitisers in every classroom and office. Staff and the boys will wear masks and shields and we will have no more than 15 boys per class.”
Motshabi said all this focuses on the boys’ safety and well-being.
“Although the times have been challenging for all, the St Benedict’s community has risen to overcome and show that we are indeed the light of the world.”
Modderfontein Academy
Director of the academy Tamsynn Lipchick said since their academy has a total of 40 learners throughout the grades they are in a good position for social distancing in classrooms.
In the meantime, learners at the academy will continue with online lessons.
“Our academy is smaller, so phasing of grades will not work. The phasing of grades will work for schools that have 20 to 30 learners in a class.”
She said the deep-cleaning of schools before reopening is a win from the Department of Basic Education.
Lipchick added that in her views another lockdown will take another two to three months.
Generally, the director described lockdown to be a bizarre occurrence.
