Department postpones briefing on reopening of schools
According to the Department of Basic Education, the briefing will now take place on Monday, 18 May.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has postponed its briefing which was set to outline the phased approach to the reopening on schools.
The briefing, which was set to take place today (14 May), was expected to outline the proposed dates for the reopening of schools across the country.
According to a statement by the department, the briefing has been moved to Monday (18 May) to allow for further consultation with stakeholders in the education sector.
The department added that the information provided by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address on 13 May will assist with its planning.
The president noted that the government was considering a proposal to move the country into Level 3 of the lockdown by the end of May.
“The minister will address a media briefing after receiving full reports from all provinces on the readiness to open schools. We appeal for patience as we work to find the best way forward under the circumstances,” said Director-General for Basic Education Hubert Mathanzima Mweli.
He added that the department will convene a special meeting with the provincial heads of education; Minister Angie Motshekga will meet with the MECs on Monday to discuss the progress that has been made.
“Thereafter we will announce to the public. Nobody has experience in managing a crisis of this magnitude, so we follow expert advice. That is why we need to be extremely careful how we proceed in every step,” he said.
Ahead of Monday’s address, Motshekga will also convene a special meeting of the Council of Education Ministers to consider the progress made towards the reopening of schools.
The purpose of the meeting will be to consider the work that each province has done, which includes delivery of Covid-19 essentials that are required as preconditions for the reopening of schools.
According to the department the reopening of schools is based on three factors:
- Saving lives remain the overriding consideration
- Saving the academic year is crucial
- Risk assessment and mitigation as well as monitoring and evaluation are important safeguards of the plan.
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