President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 23 July that there would be a closure of public schools, however, there was no mention of private schools.
The Midrand Reporter approached two private schools in Midrand SPARK Schools and Blue Hills College to find out how they will operate.
During his speech, Ramaphosa said that after taking into account the views of various stakeholders and expert bodies, the cabinet decided that all public schools will be closed from 27 July and will re-open on 24 August. Exceptions are Grade 12 learners and teachers who will return to school on 3 August, and Grade 7 learners who will return on 10 August.
Bailey Thomson Blake, chief of schools at Spark Schools explained they will operate at their own discretion. “We appreciate that independent schools, like Spark Schools, can use their own discretion.”We have been in contact with the National Alliance of Independent School Associations (Naisa) and the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (Isasa), of which we are members of, and are confident that we can remain open as we actively observe all the health and safety protocols stipulated in the Department of Basic Educations previously released guidelines.”
Blake said that Spark Schools are working with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the Department of Health and Isasa to ensure that they take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of their staff and learners.
“We will evaluate the need for closure, keeping the safety and health of our scholars and employees first and foremost. At this time, we agree with the scientists serving on the Ministerial Advisory Committee that schools should not be closed.
“Many of our scholars’ parents and family members are essential workers, and we are fortunate to be able to remain open to ensure that they have a safe and healthy place to attend every day.”
Blue Hills College principal, Bhekithemba Ndhlovu added, “We had opened for all grades by 6 June. When we realised that the situation was getting bad, due to the surge in infections in the province and the country, we held emergency meetings with parents on 12 July and reached an agreement that it is safe to close for Grade 8 to 11 learners until after the peak, or at least until the end of the cold season.
“Our Grade 8 to 11 learners are currently at home and will open for remote schooling on 3 August. Only Grade 12 learners are currently at school, and they will also close on 7 August, and reopen on 24. What the government is doing now, is a move we had already taken on 12 July.”
Isasa executive director Lebogang Montjane said in an interview with ENCA that independent schools have different calendars and operate on three terms so the dates that they close may differ from public schools. He added that they have the infrastructure to manage Covid-19 safely.He said that independent schools have a combination of online and contact classes to ensure that there is adequate distancing.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) secretary in Ivory Park and Midrand Mzamo Mazwi said that the union has cautiously welcomed the announcement by the president, however, he said they believe schools should be closed until the end of the peak.”Sadtu’s view is that schools should have been closed until the peak has subsided by September. Only two weeks from now cannot be enough for Grade 12 and 7 respectively. The department is not prepared to fundamentally deal with structural problems that have been there for decades.”
Details: Blue Hills College 011 318 4882; SPARK Schools 010 125 0600;Ivory Park Midrand Sadtu 012 753 1151.
