Deputy minister of basic education pleads with parents to allow children to return to school
The deputy minister of basic education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, has pleaded with communities and parents to allow children to return to school as they gradually reopen this week.
MAGUGU – Mhaule argued that government would not invest so much in the safety of schools, learners and teachers, only to endanger their lives. “We appreciate the support we get from some parents and going forward, we would like to plead with everyone to allow the kids to come back to catch up on lost time.
“I want to encourage parents to report children with underlying illnesses so they can be helped accordingly. Government has spent and invested so much in the safety of everyone in schools and will never willingly expose our children to danger. Remember, these are our children as well.
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And as responsible leaders it is our duty to always protect our teachers and learners,” said Mhaule. She was speaking during the official handover of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Magugu Primary School on Thursday.
The donation of PPE and sanitisers to the province’s special-needs schools with learners who require intensive care and support, courtesy of Santam, benefited 6 000 leaners and 318 teachers. Mhaule applauded the gesture by Santam, saying the safety of pupils is everyone’s business.
The MEC for education in the province, Bonakele Majuba, extended his profound gratitude, indicating that the donation will go a long way in ensuring that safety remains a priority.
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“We welcome such acts of kindness, more especially during this difficult period. While we wish to salvage the academic year, the safety of our learners, educators and non-teaching staff remains our priority,” said Majuba.
There are 140 special-needs schools in the province and both Mhaule and Majuba said government will prioritise a and give preference to them.
