LISTEN: KZN speaks out on ban of contact sports
After the Department of Basic Education announced that contact sports would not be allowed due to the high rates of infections, many people are feeling the impact. Carol Ofori chats to listeners about the situation.
The recent announcement about the suspension of contact sports in schools with immediate effect has everyone, especially the students, up in arms!
For many students, sport is their creative and mental outlet and allows them to express themselves. It is also seen as a medium of expression for many in general and to ask that students stop expressing themselves is a problem.
The Council of Education Ministers have come to this decision due to the growing numbers of COVID-19 infections. “Non-contact sport training in schools can continue provided that all social distancing, hygiene and safety measures are observed and that there is no physical contact between participants during training," the Department of Basic Education press release reads.
We got feedback from students about how they feel since hearing the news. Many of them are completely devastated and we can’t blame them, but where is the middle ground? COVID-19 has taken over our lives to such an extent that it’s sometimes difficult to find a space that doesn’t feature it.
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“It is evident that despite following the protocols as guided by the Directions on extramural activities and Standard Operating Procedure on the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in schools, contact sports events still contribute to the spread of COVID-19,” the Department of Basic Education adds.
With all the focus on the effects of the pandemic, and considering the role of sports in many students' lives, we think it's important for schools and the department to take into account the mental health of both students and teachers. Something should be put in place to cater for their mental states of mind.
