VANDERBIJLPARK.- The latest news by President Cyril Ramaphosa stating that schools will be closed for a period of four weeks came as scintillating music to the ears of the Suiderlig High School learners in Vanderbijlpark last Thursday.
The learners, mostly matriculants, had earlier that morning been protesting against attending classes, as they said that their lives were at risk due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 infections. The learners had said that most of them take public transport to school and the fact that government had allowed taxis to carry a full complement of passengers was of concern.
They asked that schools be closed till further notice as it is winter and thus easy to catch the virus. They also urged that Grade 12’s write their exams in April 2021, and other grades be promoted to make space for new entries.
However, it was as if they were talking directly to President Ramaphosa because on the same night of Thursday, Ramaphosa announced the closure of public schools for four weeks.
Ramaphosa said schools would close from July 27 and reopen on August 24.
He specified that Grade 12 learners and teachers would return to class on August 3, taking a one-week break. Grade 7 learners would have a two-week break and return to school on August 10.
