Schools could open on 1 June: Education Minister
Basic Education Minister, Angie
Motshekga has confirmed that the proposed date for Grade 12s and Grade 7s to
return to school is 1 June.
“Schooling will only resume when it is deemed safe to do so; the safety and health of our schooling communities is of utmost importance,” Motshekga said during a media briefing in Pretoria last night.
It's suggested that teachers will be back to school a week before the pupils arrive.
But this would be after school’s are thoroughly deep cleaned.
Other grades would return in phases when conditions allow.
“We are proposing repeatedly, we will phase grades. It is the same thing in primary schools. When we say grade, sevens have to come in, they will have the school to themselves. We will only phase in the other grades as and when we are prepared,” Motshekga said.
Following calls from teachers' unions regarding social distancing regulations at school, Motshekga says learners will not be sharing a desk in class, hugging and handshakes are also prohibited.
Cleaning services would be increased, while all school events are prohibited.
“A key concern was infrastructure. We are cognizant of the challenges that we have around infrastructure. Among others that we have put as conditions is that classes will be sanitized every day before classes start,” Motshekga said.
“Learners hands will be sanitized before they enter classrooms, they will be limited movement of students, there will be no clustering of desks,” she added.
