The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) has recommended that the reopening of schools be postponed from January 27 to February 15 because of the spike in Covid-19 infections.
Education stakeholders including school governing body associations, teacher unions and the National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations (Naisa) met the senior officials from the department of basic education on Wednesday night.
Ebrahim Ansur, secretary-general of Naisa, comprising nine member associations representing 1,400 independent schools, said that the NCCC had recommended that the department consult stakeholders to share the view that all schools delay reopening until February 15.
“The NCCC was deeply concerned about the pressure on healthcare facilities given the rapid increase arising from the second wave of Covid-19, with Gauteng, Limpopo and other provinces entering their peak now and with high numbers expected for a few weeks thereafter.”
He said that the ministerial advisory committee had met to analyse the results of the research undertaken on the implications of the second wave of the pandemic.
Ansur said one of the four main issues they identified was the link between the closure of schools and a reduction in the surge, as it has been shown in other countries such as the UK.
“The director-general [Mathanzima Mweli] clarified that the recommendations still must be ratified by cabinet and signed off by minister, Angie Motshekga.”
Ansur said that the department would meet the NCCC on Thursday and it would then report to the cabinet where a final decision would be taken.
“The official communication from cabinet on the opening of all schools is expected to be released after January 15.”
Ansur said that those schools that already opened this week had a window period of a few days to induct new pupils, until the date on which all schools should reopen is officially announced.
“Schools that have not yet opened and are able to offer online lessons should make the necessary arrangements to start their online programmes as soon as is practically possible.”
Naisa chair Mandla Mthembu said that while his organisation was sensitive to the urgency and the need to save lives, there was also a need to consider the effect of indefinite delays to reopening independent schools. This was given the fact that they relied on revenue generated through school fees to keep teachers employed .
“We do not want to see one more teacher being retrenched. It is therefore, once again, our appeal that the government, in its decision when considering to postpone the reopening of schools, can apply its mind as to how we can keep independent schools going.”
“A position taken last year by the cabinet where independent schools were allowed to continue, would be more desirable.”
Ben Machipi, general secretary of the Professional Educators Union (PEU), said there was unanimity by the unions that “we should postpone the reopening of schools by two weeks”.
He said, however, they disagreed with a proposal by the MAC that the delay in reopening should be confined to pupils only and not teachers.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.