SOUTH AFRICA – By 6 May more than 166 128 individuals had signed a petition to keep learners out of school during the peak of the covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.
The Director-General of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) Mathanzima Mweli’s comments sparked an uproar during a virtual meeting broadcast on 29 April when she mentioned that learners would return to school on 6 May starting with the exit grades 7 and 12. “There are not enough measures taken by the government to keep our kids safe and the young ones are not matured enough to follow the COVID-19 protective guidelines”, said a petition signee, Bongiwe Vilakazi.
Through the petition created on change.org website, concerned stakeholders are hoping to attract the attention of the DBE Minister Angie Motshekga, to give particular attention to their concerns regarding the safety of the parties affected by the reopening of schools. Motshekga, who clarified to the DG’s statements, suggested that grade 7 and 12 learners may return to school on 1 June if certain measures are in place.
The Minister said that her department was only suggesting the mentioned dates and that they were not finalised during a press briefing held on 30 April, to outline plans to reopen schools together with Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande’s presentation plans for higher education institutions. Motshekga cited 20 organisations that her department consulted with for an informed decision to reopen schools,
“We propose teachers to return to schools on 18 May to start with preparations”, said Motshekga, pointing out that the grades will reopen in phases and considering pre-conditions for the reopening of schools, “We have developed a curriculum recovery framework”, which include preparation of Personal Protection Equipment PPE amongst others.
However, the department has been highly criticised for the lack of consistency and poor coordination between the minister and her colleagues by various stakeholders. The South African Democratic Teacher’s Union (SADTU) is against the plans of the department to reopen schools, “If stage 4 regulations are to be adhered to, there should be no re-opening of schools under stage 4”, they said in a statement. “We have called upon everyone to contribute towards the solution but it is now clear that the Department of Basic Education is engaging in bad faith and this is undesirable when we are faced with the virulent and contagious pandemic,” said the statement.
Afriforum said it welcomes the reopening of schools, however it said, “It is a serious concern that more than 3500 schools in South Africa have no access to water supply and therefore are unable to maintain the necessary hygiene.” On the other hand, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) opposes the reopening of schools, “The EFF calls for sanity to prevail and for the decision to open schools and risk the lives of children to be reconsidered”, they said in a statement.
During her speech, Motshekga declared that mid-year examinations have been postponed and the new timetable which “will be communicated urgently”, will be merged with November examinations.
