Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says no parent will be forced to allow their child to return to school.
That was part of her statement on Tuesday evening, when she presented the readiness of schools to resume the academic calendar.
The schools will re-open in less than 2 weeks, on the 1st of June.
Grade 12s and 7s will be the first allowed back in the classroom, while other grades will resume later in a phased approach.
Parents have raised concerns about sending back their children, with fears that they might contract the coronavirus.
Motshekga said that parents who want their children to return next year can do so, or make use of home-schooling.
The Minister added that the resumption of schooling is good for children, if not, this will have a detrimental effect on them
