The country has been left in a state of confusion regarding the reopening of schools after Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga postponed a much-anticipated briefing.
Instead, the Department of Basic Education released a statement saying that the date on which learners are to report back to school is June 8.
The Western Cape Education (WCED), however, broke ranks with the national department, indicating it would go ahead with the resumption of Grade 7 and 12 on Monday, as scheduled.
The national department said schools were not ready to reopen: “This whole coming week must be used for the proper orientation and training of teachers, the mopping and ramping of all supply chain matters, and final touches to the readiness of each facility for the arrival of learners.
Disinfection team disinfect the classroom at Ivory Park Secondary School east of Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) met on Saturday to assess the state of readiness for the reopening of schools.
On Sunday night, a CEM statement read: “CEM received a report from the consortium of service providers coordinated by the National Education Collaboration Trust on the External Evaluation and Monitoring of the state of readiness.
“Rand Water, as an Implementing Agent delivering water to 3 500 schools, also presented its report. The Heads of Education Departments Committee (HEDCOM) also presented its technical report. All three reports converged on the fact that a substantial number of schools would not be ready for the reopening, albeit tremendous progress had been made by most provinces, which overall reflected 80% readiness.
“CEM was concerned that, in some provinces, personal protective equipment for learners in particular, had not been received; and some schools had not been made ready for the arrival of teachers and learners.”
Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schafer said schools would be open to receive learners on Monday.
“Following the minister’s announcements, we have pulled out all the stops as a province to ensure we are ready for the arrival of learners. Principals and staff have worked tirelessly to get all the health and safety requirements in place,” she said.
Debbie Schäfer
“Given these preparations, and the enormous effort put in by teachers and non-teaching staff alike, it would be unfair to delay all schools from re-opening.
“There will also be some schools that do not receive learners [today], either because they are not at a suitable state of readiness in terms of safety protocols, or they are closed for cleaning if there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 at the school.
“These schools will communicate with their staff members and parents of learners in this regard.”