Staff Reporter
The Free State Department of Education says nearly 400 000 learners from across the province are expected back in school next month as more classes are set to resume.
“We are currently preparing for the return of 388 685 learners in Grades R, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 and 11 on 6 July 2020,” the department’s spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, said in a statement released Sunday afternoon.
He said the department is pleased that the health and safety protocols it has implemented in schools are working and therefore confident the additional learners will not experience much problems.
“Through the measures put in place we have been able to identify learners, teachers and auxiliary staff who are presenting with flu-like symptoms or even COVID-19 itself without knowing,” Ndaba said.
Grades 7 and 12 started classes on June 8 and several cases of COVID-19-related cases have been reported at some schools in the province but they have all been handled swiftly and no complications have been reported to date.
“The two weeks of learning and teaching have been valuable in giving us some important lessons on key areas we need to pay attention to as we continue to implement the phased approach to the reopening of schools in the COVID-19 environment,” Ndaba added.
He however expressed disappointment at calls by the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) that schools should remain closed and that all learners and teachers be tested for COVID-19 saying it won’t help the situation.
Ndaba said the provincial education department told COSAS at a recent meeting that infections can be prevented if everybody wears their masks, observed physical distancing, washed hands often, sanitised and stayed safe.
“It is inconceivable that COSAS is still opposed to the reopening of schools even after the President (Cyril Ramaphosa) announced that many other sectors are going to reopen,” he said.
“In essence, COSAS is suggesting that parents should go to work but leave their children behind.
“We urge COSAS to join our efforts to encourage learners in our schools to practise basic hygiene.”
Ndaba said the monitoring mechanisms they have put in place in all districts with the help of the health department have indicated that most schools are COVID-19 compliant.