HELLO THERE

South Africa marks day 69 of the lockdown .The residents were left with disbelieve and uncertainties after the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga announced that the Grade 12 and Grade 7 learners will be returning to school on June 8.

Rekord spoke to local parents about their thoughts of their children returning to school next week. This is what they had to say:

Joseph Khoza- “I think the ministers and the cabinet members made an impulsive decision because of the pressure they receive from the public and social media.”

“As much as we believe that Covid-19 is a very serious deadly disease I don’t think we have to let kids go back to school, because a school is perceived as the best place to keep learners away from home, but most parents don’t get another picture about school,

Khoza said learners are free to do anything at school as they are exposed to anything under less supervision from the educators. Alot of incidents took place before lockdown children would stab each other within the premises of school, how will they make sure that they are adhering to the rules?.

“Taking the learners back to school will increase the numbers of active positives cases of Covid-19 it is a bad idea.”

Mpho Manyathela- “I don’t feel safe or comfortable at all that our children have to go to school when this pandemic is not over as yet. They use transport to go to school and the government is so focused on sanitizing the schools while forgetting about the learner’s mode of transport.

I think it is a bit too early for them to go back,schools should be cancelled for the reset of the year.”

Charlotte Mahlalela – “This was a tough decision that the government had to take, but I believe that the grade 12 pupils are the one who are suitable to go to school as they are adults and teachers wont have many challenges in controlling them.”

She said the grade 12 pupils this is their final year and they need to apply in different universities going back to school is good for them.

“They should adhere to the rules wear masks ,wash hands, sanitize, practice social distancing and everything will go well.”

Bonginkosi Ndou – “ I am very happy to be going back to school but i just wish we only study throughout the rest of the year and write exams next year. I believe the pandemic has wasted alot of our time and now everything will be done under pressure, I aim at passing my matric with distinctions.”

Puseletso More told Rekord that she is an essential worker and she is not certain about the decision that the government has taken on their children to go back to school.

“ Our kids are not that vigilant or wise enough to protect themselves from the spread. They are coming from different family of which you won’t know who is infected, same applies to Educators.”

“ I am always scared of my health and my family because I work around sick people, always in crowded environment ,So how will a Grade 7 learner Survive the whole day with a mask on?.

More added that “Surely they won’t even wash their hands nor sanitize. They might even steal each others sanitizers or Masks in a form of fun. They don’t know the seriousness of this matter. Am not certain about the decision that the government took for children to go back to school.”