New date for grades 7 and 12 to return to class is now June 8
While schools will re-open tomorrow (June 1), it will only be for school management teams, teachers and non-teaching staff.
Schools will not be re-opening for grades 7 and 12 pupils tomorrow (June 1) as it has emerged that a substantial number of schools are not ready for pupils to head back to the classroom.
Instead, they will return on Monday, June 8.
Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga was to provide an update on readiness for the re-opening of schools this evening (May 31) but the briefing has been rescheduled for Monday, June 1.
While schools will re-open tomorrow, this will only be for school management teams, teachers and non-teaching staff to prepare for the arrival of pupils.
According to a statement from the department, the Council of Education Minister (CEM) met to assess the state of readiness of schools on Saturday, May 30.
CEM received a report from the consortium of service providers coordinated by the National Education Collaboration Trust on the external evaluation and monitoring of the state of readiness of schools.
Rand Water, as an implementing agent delivering water to 3 500 schools, also presented its report along with a technical report from Heads of Education Departments Committee (HEDCOM).
All three reports converged on the fact that a substantial number of schools would not be ready for the re-opening tomorrow, despite the tremendous progress made by most provinces which overall reflected an 80% state of readiness.
CEM was concerned that in some provinces, personal protective equipment for pupils had not been received and some schools had not been made ready for the arrival of teachers and pupils.
CEM then took decisions which it said have since been shared with teacher unions, school governing body associations, independent schools’ associations, the SA Human Rights Commission, Principals’ Association, South African National Association for Specialised Education and other stakeholders.
The department added that meetings had taken place yesterday (May 30) and today (May 31) in which the outcome of the reports and the proposed course of action were shared.
During the coming week, provincial and district officials will ensure that health, safety, and social distancing requirements are strictly adhered to when teachers arrive.
The focus will also be on the proper orientation and training of teachers, the ramping up of all supply chain matters and final touches to the readiness of each facility for the arrival of pupils.
The department has received reports that some pupils attending boarding schools have already arrived. They urged these schools to continue with orientation of pupils in terms of the health and safety procedures that should be in place.
The department also held meetings with the association representing independent schools yesterday and today and it was agreed on how they should proceed regarding the reopening of their schools.
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