Private school learners return to class

A LAST minute decision to delay the opening of schools from 1 June to 8 June saw school management teams, teachers and non-teaching staff return to schools this week to prepare for the arrival of learners next week.

In a statement released on Sunday evening, shortly after the postponement of a much anticipated briefing on the state of readiness of schools, the department said the CEM was concerned that, in some provinces, personal protective equipment (PPEs) for pupils had not been received and that some schools had not been made ready for their return.

ALSO READ: Schools will be ready to open by June, says Education MEC

Some local private schools, however, did open, following notification on 31 May by Mandla Mthembu, chairperson of the National Alliance of Independent Schools’ Association, that stated an agreement between the Association and Minister Motshekga allowed for private schools to open on 1 June as long as they were prepared for the learners.

Berea Mail visited Eden School this week, where Grade 12 and 7 learners had returned to school. Educator, Brigitta Gaylard, took Berea Mail to her classroom where an art history lesson was to be held.

Single desks had been placed to ensure social distancing between learners, and she, as well as learners, wore masks during the lesson. Grade 12 learner, John Henry Jansen van Rensburg said he wouldn’t say he was happy to be back at school, but it was definitely beneficial being back.

Ntsika Zondo said she was very happy to be at school as there was a lot of distraction at home, which was reiterated by Alex van Schalkwyk who said as a matric learner, the learning environment was crucial and it was better to be back at school for more contact time.

Aliyah du Preez said her only concern was that she would infect her parents, who are both high risk, and Jade Chetty said she was also worried about infection, and complained that it was difficult to wear a mask during class as she couldn’t breathe properly.

ALSO READ: UKZN phases in students

Keshava Samie and Gabriella Innes agreed on this point, and Gabriella added how strange it was to be back at school and to have to deal with social distancing.

Principal of the prep school, Greta Peens, said a paediatrician mother of one of the Grade 3 learners had gone in to the school on Monday morning to ensure everything was in order and social distancing and hygiene was a top priority.

“The children have to sit in hula hoops at break and we are in the process of painting blocks on the field for them to sit in. The corridors have been marked to ensure children don’t stand too close to each other and in the toilets we have cordoned off each alternate toilet cubicle and basin. One of our cleaning staff sits outside the bathroom to sterilise the children’s hands once they are finished in the toilet, and she then goes in to sanitise after they leave the bathroom,” she said.

She said of the 30 Grade 7s at the school, 16 arrived for lessons and there was live streaming of lessons for those who aren’t able to go to school. Grade 7 learner, Bailey Williams said she was happy she had returned to school, although she was sad she wasn’t able to touch her friends, especially after being away from them for such a long time.

Ariyana Singh commented that she liked being back at school, although it was a very different environment now.

“We are closing the school at 12.20pm every day so the children can have a break from wearing masks and for the staff to be able to do a big clean, where everything is disinfected, desks, chairs, railings, poles, and so on, for the next day,” said Peens.

She said the plan would be to slowly phase in the other grades over the coming weeks.

Another independent school, Durban Girls’ College, was not able to open as planned on Monday because of confusion regarding the need for permits in order for pupils to travel to school. The school’s headmaster said they would open on Tuesday.

Some learners arrived for school at Glenwood High School on Monday. The school said all safety measures had been put in place. At Penzance Primary School some parents arrived to drop off children because they were not aware of the postponed reopening.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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