Back-to-school: What you need to know

The past week was a whirlwind for parents, teachers, and children alike. The department had proposed and subsequently confirmed that June 1 would be the official commencement of the school year.

This has not come to fruition as protests mount and school readiness is questioned.

School readiness

According to Elijah Mhlanga, the department of education’s head of communications, only 80% of schools reflect a readiness to welcome teachers and students back. The Council of Education Minister (CEM) also indicated that some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for students had not been delivered in some schools.

1 June reopening will be for staff only

Mhlanga noted that reopening on this day will still take place “but with school management teams, teachers and non-teaching staff only arriving to prepare for the arrival of learners”. So 1-5 June will be used to get the remaining schools compliant and ready to receive their students.

New proposed date

The CEM has proposed that schools should reopen on 8 June 2020.

Press briefing

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga will address the nation this morning at 11am at Sunrise View Secondary School, Rustenburg.

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