Covid-19: Public reacts to Minister Motshekga’s back-to-school message

Parents and members of the public have reacted strongly on Twitter to Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga’s announcement that learners will begin returning to school from 1 June.

Motshekga confirmed that learners in Grade 7 and Grade 12 will return to school on 1 June, while teachers in all provinces will return to work on 25 May.

Some responded commending the Department of Education’s decision:

#angiemotshekga I’m in 100% agreement with Ma’am Angie Motshekga, I think she is one of the hardest working ministers but very underrated, schools should open

The danger of continuing to close schools is more disastrous as compared to the danger of the #Covid19SA in RSA 🇿🇦

— Ruralist (@Chizy_Wizy) May 19, 2020

Angie is doing Great. You all behaving like kids. Schools must open now!

— Mr Ayee (@AyeeNdeM) May 19, 2020

Few Children – less than 50 or so – have died globally. WHO says it has records of 350 cases of hospitalisation globally.
Children do not die or get very sick from this disease. And importantly they don't seem to transmit this widely so their grandparents aren't at risk. https://t.co/pD9sE4O3zK

— Katharine Child (@katjanechild) May 19, 2020

I fully support Angie Motshekga’s decision about schools reopening. Kids in the townships r playing all over the streets disregarding lockdown regulations. Whts to stop them from contracting the virus anyway. So rather they go back to school nd learn.

— DSK (@GumedeSk) May 20, 2020

Many took to Twitter opposing Motshekga’s decision, including former leader of the Democratic Alliance Mmusi Maimane:

Bagaetsho, I am a parent, I am an uncle and I am a concerned citizen. I do no think that the @DBE_SA is ready to reopen schools.

This is rushed, this is risky.

Please join me in advocating for the reopening of schools when it’s actually safe. https://t.co/PjZ8zvhTsv

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 19, 2020

Others sought evidence for why the minister would send children back, requesting that parliament open first:

@angie_motshekga
Wouldn't it be best if the parliament was the first thing to open before even opening the schools? Why cant leaders First take the risk than everything shall follow?

— PHILA (@PHILA44877402) May 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/OnaMatshaya/status/1262787245515341831

Vele!

We rather keep our kids safe rather than dump them to die.

Why don’t you go hack to Parliament #AngieMotshega? You afraid of #Covid_19SA but you want our kids to go back while your kids as ministers are home schooling or online schooling🤷🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/rZHfJjlIYo

— Thulani Ndaba (@tndaba) May 20, 2020

#angiemotshekga
minister i hope you and those who decided to re open schools will be able to carry that burden if a child dies of Covid 19😕
@angie_motshekga

— Aretha Arries (@ArethaArries) May 19, 2020

#angiemotshekga What Angie Motshekga is doing is gambling with our kids lives. France recorded 70 new coronavirus cases when their schools open in a week. Tomorrow they open the parliament and stop their virtual broadcasting.

— Sabelo Mndebele (@sabiemndebele) May 19, 2020

Related articles:

Covid-19: Government prepares for reopening of school on June 1

https://krugersdorpnews.co.za/435542/parents-can-decide-not-to-send-their-children-back-to-school/

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).