The Department of Basic Education has outlined its plans for the reopening of South Africa’s schools as the country begins easing lockdown restrictions.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said the first schools will be opened from 1 June – including public and private schools, and those in metropolitan areas which may face stricter lockdowns. The minister noted that this will include students from grades 7 and 12, as well as ‘smaller’ schools that do not have a large number of students.
School teachers returned on the 25th of May already and would have received full training about health and safety standards.
Parents and teachers have raised concerns about the health aspects of sending their children to school, most notably relating to social distancing. Many parents have said that they are prepared to forfeit the school year, rather than to risk the health of their child.
Provincial secretary for SADTU, Jonovan Rustin, joins us on the line to give us the teachers’ perspective at the moment.
Listen to the interview with Aden and Jonovan here
