Ninety-five percent of schools across the country are Covid-19 compliant and are ready to open for teaching and learning today, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said.
Addressing a media briefing on Sunday afternoon on the state of readiness of schools, Motshekga said it was all systems go for Grade 12s and 7s to return, with the majority of schools receiving Personal Protection Equipment.
She said non-compliant schools would not open, but plans are in place so that “no child is left behind”.
“We can now say with confidence that about 95% of our schools have been ably provided with the Covid-19 related imperatives,” Motshekga said.
“For the remaining 5% or so learners alternative measures have been developed by different districts such as temporarily using neighbouring schools, using under-utilised spaces in boarding schools and putting other learners in camps.”
She said provinces will be engaging parents this week to discuss the alternatives.
The announcement comes after days of negotiations between the Department of Education, unions and various other role players.
Last week, teacher unions dug in their heels vowing not to open schools unless all schools were given the right personal protection equipment.
Meanwhile, teachers and school staff with comorbidities and those over 60 have scored a major concession after the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) granted them permission to work from home.
The Western Cape Education Department, which opened schools last week already, said these teachers will now present them with a teaching plan.
“These reports and plans will be submitted to the District for consideration. Until this is finalised, these teachers can stay at home,” the WCED says.