A group of school principals have written an open letter to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling for the academic year to be suspended as the country gears up for the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The principals from Steenberg High, Floreat Primary, Athlone High and Heathfield High listed their, their staff and pupils’ safety concerns on their return to classrooms earlier this month.
They requested the national government suspend the school year, and also called on other palies to speak out about the reopening.
SPEAK OUT: Athlone High Principal Vincent Hendricks
This after several schools in the Cape had to close their doors for deep cleaning following Covid-19 cases.
“We opine, with great conviction, that the decision to reopen primary and high schools on 1 June was the wrong one. We contend that the timing is bad as wintry weather brings with it seasonal illness such as influenza. The Coronavirus thrives under cold conditions and will also augment and exacerbate the onset of the flu and tuberculosis,” read the letter.
“The anxiety around Covid-19 is palpable. The extra workload with regards to health screening, now foisted onto the teachers, is adding to the anxiety.”
The principals said they want to meet with the DBE to discuss a postponement of the external matric exams and lessening pupils’ workload.
Athlone High Principal Vincent Hendricks was quoted in the Cape Argus saying: “I feel that broad consultation with stakeholders on the ground, especially principals and teachers, did not take place.
“We could be the only country in the world to resume schooling at the start of winter.
“Teachers cannot be held liable for the government’s failures with regards to social delivery.
“Why doesn’t the state focus on social recovery? We are all for the reopening of schools but the timing is bad.”
CONTEXT: Elijah Mhlanga of the Education Department
However, DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said: “The National Minister of Basic Education, in consultation with the National Coronavirus Command Centre, announced that schools would open on June 1 for grades 7 and 12, to be followed by the gradual phasing-in of more grades on July 6 and August 3 respectively. The opening of schools in the province must be seen within this context.”
Cape Argus