The highs and lows of reopening of schools
Finally, February 15 marked the first day of school for many for the 2021 academic year. Learners were seen returning while others began school on Monday morning.
One could have never thought primary and high schools could dare to re-open for their ‘first-day’ mid-month of the second month of the year. However, re-opening of schools well into the year was among the drastic changes people have had to adjust to as a result of the pandemic.
Schools were initially set to reopen on January 27, until the Department of Basic Education announced the delay of schools by a further two weeks.
The country’s Covid-19 second wave, fears and new variant discovered in the country were among the suspected reasons for the delay of the reopening of schools.
However, the department said in a statement delivered by the deputy minister of basic education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, in January that after consultations with various stakeholders, including the Council of Education Ministers (CEM), the Heads of Education Departments Committee (HEDCOM), the national school governing body associations and teacher unions, the decision to delay was taken.
“This is done to provide relief to the health system which is already struggling to cope with the current demands,” said Mhaule in January. The two weeks have lapsed and learners are in school.
The re-opening of schools has been a topic of discussion since the postponement, with many wondering whether it would be delayed again or not, while others questioned the readiness of schools.
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School management teams (SMTs) had to report for duty on January 25, followed by the teachers on February 1 to assist with administration and prepare for the learners.
Acting principal at Laerskool Mooifontein Primary School Marcelle Minie told Express they had worked hard to ensure they are ready to welcome the learners.
“We have demarcated, put stickers and posters on corridors and in classes to remind them of the safety precautions and regulations,” said Minie.
“Parents were notified in which groups their children are in and on which days they would attend. The school was disinfected. We received extra PPE and everybody is on board.”
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said in a statement on Monday that Gauteng welcomed more than two million learners to the classroom.
“GDE is proud that when almost 2.3 million learners returned to class, they found our classrooms ready, our furniture, textbooks and stationery ready and found our teachers in class ready to teach,” said Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng Education MEC.
Although some, like the local school, reported smooth reopening of schools, there were a few challenges and glitches experienced.
The MEC said the GDE was concerned about some 3 000 learners who did not return to school last year due to Covid-19 fears.
Steve Mabona, GDE spokesperson, said: “The districts will be consolidating attendance figures and compare with the previous year to verify the accurate number of learners who might have dropped out.”
“Other Gauteng MECs visited schools across the province and were impressed with the state of readiness of Gauteng schools to begin the academic year on the first day. However, there were two incidents reported in the province, with some parents protesting over the placements of their children.”
Lesufi also acknowledged that there were learners who were not placed. “It is encouraging that the department has made progress in the placement of learners. A total of 221 271 learners, consisting of 104 981 Grade Ones and 116 290 Grade Eights, were placed,” said Lesufi.
We are working tirelessly to place the remaining 1 004 (0.45 per cent) applicants.”
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Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.