As thousands of learners across the country returned to school this week, Reiger Park Primary School was also among the Boksburg schools that welcomed dozens of Grade R and Six learners on July 6.
According to the school principal, Martin Green, the process of welcoming the additional grades back to school went smooth.
Giving details on how his school prepared for the phased return of learners after almost four months at home, Green said to ensure the safety of the learners and staff they have opted for the alternate dates, meaning learners will be attending on an alternating schedule to help maintain the number of learners, and distance between their peers.
Parents were issued with colour-coded time tables the children need to follow, to help the school keep within the manageable number of learners at a time.
“Looking at the return of our learners this morning, what I’ve observed is that although parents are still a bit anxious, they are also keen on getting their children back to school in order for education to take place once more.
“The level of attendance is not at the level which we expected it to be, but I can confirm that the majority of the learners have returned, and they are optimistic to being part of the school once more,” said Green.
The principal thanked the staff for planning accordingly and ensuring the school is ready to receive the returning learners.
The school had received all PPE for the learners and staff by Monday.
At the school, there are three staff members with comorbidities and they have sent in their applications for concession to work from home. The school also have four children with comorbidities who are learning from home and the school is working with their parents to ensure they receive the academic support they deserve.
Basil Seedat, a parent of one of the children with comorbidities, told the Advertiser he is satisfied with the support his child, Ashley, is receiving from the school. “I’m pleased with the service my child, who is in Grade Seven, gets from her school. It’s perfect. I come here every week to collect and deliver her school work and I’ve never encountered any issues. “Academically, my daughter is an A child, performing very well and I’m confident she is also going to ace the final exams,” said Seedat.
To ensure safety of all, the principal urged all parties, including parents, learners transport operators to play their part in ensuring learners follow the Covid-19 rules aimed at protecting them against the invisible enemy.
He also advised parents who opt to keep their children at home to apply from the provincial Department of Education for home-schooling of their children, instead of keeping them at home and do nothing.
You can watch the live recorded full interview here:
https://web.facebook.com/boksburgadvertiser/videos/2694059734171344/?_rdc=1&_rdr
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