Faizel Patel – 15/01/2021

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

The Basic Education Department has announced that public school learners will return to the classroom on 15 February.

Deputy Minister Regina Mahule was briefing the media on Friday on the reopening of schools.

Teacher unions, parents and some experts are opposed to public schools reopening on the 27^th of this month as originally planned citing rising Coronavirus infections.

Mahule says given the pressure experienced by the health system in the past few weeks, occasioned by increased COVID – 19 infections which has led to the second wave, the Council of Education Ministers in conjunction with the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet, has taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools with two weeks

“This includes private schools that have reopened already. They will need to postpone their reopening to a later date. This is done to provide relief to the health system which is already struggling to cope with the current demands. School Management Teams (SMTs) shall report for duty on Monday, 25 January 2021, teachers shall follow on Monday, 01 February 2021; and lastly, learners return on Monday, 15 February 2021.”

Mahule says the new dates for the reopening of private schools will vary depending on the calendar that they follow.

She says schools will use the time to finalise outstanding matters, regarding admissions, especially the unplaced learners in certain cases.

“CEM took this difficult decision, having considered all factors as backed up by research and statistics, regarding the current state of the health system. The priority remains saving lives. The DBE will work closely with all nine Provincial Education Departments, to establish the true extent of the impact of the virus, resulting from the unfortunate demise of educators, workers and leaders in the sector, especially during the December / January holidays.”

Mahule says the department will have a series of meetings with provinces next week, to check on the very latest, regarding the state of readiness; taking into account the Cabinet decision from Thursday’s meeting.