Grade 12 learner’s have said that their biggest concern is finishing off the academic year successfully. Two Grade 12 learners living and schooling in the Northcliff Melville Times distribution area have expressed their opinions and worries over returning to school on 1 June.
Although their schools have the facilities and resources to help avoid spreading the virus, learners David* and Emma* aren’t convinced that the health and safety of learners, their teachers and families is being prioritised.
David explained, “To a certain extent, nobody knows who touches what or if someone has the virus and we are reopening schools. The parents of school children could also contract the virus and later infect the child who infects the rest of us.”
David feels that it is a rushed decision to get grade 7s and 12s back into schools, but he and Emma are determined to do whatever it takes to complete their final year of school. With the right guidelines and everyone following the rules, Emma thinks completing the year is possible.
She said, “I just think we should just continue with what’s already been decided and take responsibility for our own hygiene and follow the guidelines they give us, so it won’t be a problem.”
The return to class will also benefit many learners across the country due to the learning advantages some have. Emma explained, “Not all students have been able to do their work online as they live in less privileged places, without access to internet.”
David stated that his friends and their families often struggled with online learning and returning to class would place the learners back in front of their qualified and experienced teachers. Emma did raise the fact that for many, returning to school would be complicated, as parents have lost jobs and incomes.
She expressed, “In order to go to school we still need our parents to pay school fees and most families are struggling to pay for the households needs, never mind children’s school fees.”
There is a fear that when schools return on 1 June, many won’t be there to complete the year due to these financial difficulties. David also raised concern about whether sufficient tests would be made available to schools as they return, and what would happen if a learner was found to be positive for Covid-19.
The two are slowly preparing themselves for the avalanche of academic content that awaits them at their schools. The two do hope that the schools, and the Department of Basic Education would be understanding and lenient as they rework the academic calendar, assignments and exams.
*The names David and Emma are fictional names given to protect the identity of the learners and the schools they go to, as requested by them.
