Minister squashes rumours about schools reopening in September
Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshegka urged the public to desist from spreading false information, an offence punishable with a fine or jail time under the new Disaster Management Act regulations.
The date for schools to be reopened in South Africa is still to be determined.
This was announced by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshegka, at an inter-ministerial media briefing held on Saturday, 28 March. The briefing included ministers representing the Covid-19 National Command Council, held to update the nation on the status of the national lockdown.
Before the announcement of the national lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa, schools were set to reopen on Tuesday, 14 April. However, the period of lockdown, which runs from 27 March until 15 April, will undoubtedly impact the opening dates, although no official term 2 dates have been set.
Speaking at the briefing, Motshekga urged the public to desist from spreading false information, an offence punishable with a fine or jail time under the new Disaster Management Act regulations.
She said: “We are aware that people continue to spread incorrect information. Fake news causes a lot of damage to the work we are doing, especially under the current circumstances. We urge members of the public to desist from spreading false information about when schools will reopen, and on any other matter. There is no truth to what has been circulated on social media about schools reopening in September. Please ignore it.”
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Commenting on the school dates, she stated: “The truth is that the Council of Education Ministers, at a teleconference meeting this morning, extensively deliberated on preparations for the opening of schools after the lockdown is lifted. The exact dates for the opening of schools for the start of the second term will be communicated at a later date. We will, in due course, confirm the date guided by the NCC.”
She said that the Department of Basic Education is also finalising a Standard Operating Procedure to provide guidance to schools on preparing for the start of term 2. Discussions are also underway with the National Treasury regarding a provision of health packages to schools.
