Covid-19: Minister confirms phased-reopening, but details remain unconfirmed
While she did confirm that the Department would adopt a phased-in approach, little clarity on the updated school calendar could be provided.
Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga left many questions unanswered when she addressed the media on 30 April.
It was expected that Motshekga would announce the new school calendar, and would provide details on the phased-in approach to returning to school. While she did confirm that the Department would adopt a phased-in approach, little clarity on the updated school calendar could be provided.
According to Motshekga, the new school calendar would need to be gazetted, but it is proposed that the education sector would reopen on 4 May. Teachers would return on 18 May, and Grade 12 and Grade 7 learners on 1 June. These are only the proposed dates, and changes could occur depending on the sector’s readiness, and the spread of Covid-19.
“Each province, district, circuit and school must have a practical and comprehensive catch-up plan to be implemented. The plans must talk to the risk profiles of the areas in which schools are located, and this must be based on the infection rate in the specific geographic areas.”
Motshekga stressed that decisions were not being made lightly, and that extensive consultation had taken place. “The decisions that are taken are based on scientific considerations. We have been advised to adopt a phased approach in the reopening of schools. Uppermost in our planning is the health and safety of our school communities – particularly learners and teachers. At all times during the consultations we have started with the safety of our learners, teachers and employees. We made safety a priority,” she said.
The school calendar would be gazetted once the administrative work had been completed.
The impact of Covid-19 will be felt for a long time to come
The Coronavirus is still with us, and it will be with us for some time. For that reason, the Department of Basic Education has taken a decision to cancel school enrichment programmes, such as the spelling bee, the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (popularly known as the SASCE), school sports, school trips, and assemblies. None of these would be permitted in schools until further notice.
“Due to the infection rate, it is clear that we need to continue to work together to contain the transmission of the virus. As a sector, we have to play our part together with all our key stakeholders,” said Motshekga.
On school fees
Many parents have raised the issue of school fees, and whether they are still payable during this time. Motshekga confirmed that school fees are indeed payable where children attend fee-paying schools.
The way forward
A number of steps have been agreed upon that must be taken to ensure that the health and safety of learners and teachers is not compromised. These measures are contained in the Standard Operating Procedures Booklet, which will be used in all schools.
Measures contained in the plans are as follows for social distancing:
- Physical distances in classrooms, including not more than 2 learners sharing desks;
- No hugging or handshaking;
- Direct contact must be avoided;
- Cloth masks to be worn by learners and teachers at all times;
- No mass public events. No sports matches, choral practices and festivals, eisteddfods are permitted; and
- Extra classes should be arranged in small groups that maintain social distancing.
Infrastructure and Furniture:
- Sanitise classrooms prior to the start of school day;
- Sanitise hands on entering classrooms;
- Limit movement of learners between classes; and
- No clustering of desks in classrooms.
An orientation programme has been developed to assist learners, parents, educators and non-teaching staff in the school community. All learners, educators and support staff will receive orientation and training at the start of the school reopening, commencing with Grades 7 and 12.
In conclusion, Motshekga appealed to South Africans to cooperate. “We appeal to each one to cooperate and ensure that we put the interests of the children on top of the priority list.”
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