DBE gazettes new dates for learners to return to school
Only schools and offices that meet the minimum health, safety and social distancing requirements will be allowed to open.
Parents who have been waiting in anticipation to find out when their children can return to school, finally have the answers.
The amendments to the school calendar were gazetted today and are as follows:
No mention is made in the document as to when Grade 1 and Grade 2 learners will return to school.
Only schools and offices that meet the minimum health, safety and social distancing requirements will be allowed to open.
Parents who are not comfortable with sending their children back to school, will not be forced to do so. They will have to apply to the Head of Department, who may then exempt the learner fully, partially or conditionally from compulsory school attendance, if it is in the best interest of the learner.
The parent will be obliged to apply for home education.
All school events including sports and cultural events have been suspended until they are determined safe by the Minister of Education.
All learners must wear a cloth face mask at all times.
The Department has made a number of options available to schools to assist with the social distancing of learners – these include:
- Daily and weekly rotations
- Bi-weekly rotations
- Platooning or shifts (two sets of learners and educators use the same building – one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon)
Schools that are able to comply with all regulations, need not change their standard timetable.
