Staff Reporter
Schools will remain open – at least for now – even though South Africa is now approaching the COVID-19 peak, the Department of Basic Education has said.
With pressure mounting from unions, political parties, activists and parents to immediately close schools as the country’s coronavirus cases continue to rise, the department issued a statement Tuesday evening saying only cabinet could decide on the matter.
“The decision on whether schools will be closed or not will be taken by cabinet,” read part of the statement, released following a special meeting of the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) hosted by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
The education department expressed disappointment at teachers and some school staff it claimed were publicly attacking the government for reopening schools and warned it may take legal action against those disrupting classes.
“The government is extremely concerned about teachers, principals (and) non-teaching staff who use any platform to attack government for going back to work, ostensibly creating an impression that they should be treated differently from the rest of the other public servants,” the statement said.
“CEM has resolved to take legal action against all individuals and groups that continue to disrupt schooling.
“We would like to emphasise the fact that the reopening and closure of schools is a legislative responsibility accorded to national and provincial authorities only.
“Groups and individuals who are not empowered by law do not have the authority to close schools.”
It was important, the department said, for the country to realise that one of the main reasons for the phased reopening of schools was to make sure all children enjoyed the right to basic education.
“During Alert Levels 5 and 4 of the national lockdown, most children from the most rural and remote areas of the country, especially learners from quintiles 1-3 schools, could not access any form of online teaching and learning. This, inadvertently negatively affected these children’s unfettered right to basic education,” the statement said.
“It is particularly the poor who continue to be at risk, if schools do not reopen.
“Critical in the phased reopening of schools was adherence to the health, safety and social distancing protocols as determined by the Department of Health.”
COVID-19 has now killed over 4 100 people and infected over 280 000 people in South Africa, as of July 13.
Exactly a month ago, the virus had killed 1 480 and infected just over 70 000 people, data shows.
Motshekga’s department said given that the country is entering the peak of the pandemic, it is important for everyone to contribute towards enabling the health system to deal with the acute infections.
“It’s important to remember that government’s decision to gradually lift the lockdown was and still is predicated on saving lives and livelihood,” the statement said.
“Schooling is very much part of our livelihood,” it added.
“Schools and indeed the system are dealing with a completely new environment – and we need to afford the opportunity and space to gradually settle in dealing with the new normal of operating under COVID-19, in line with the risk-adjusted differentiated approach in reopening schools; otherwise schools may also become overwhelmed.”
The department said schools that have demonstrated the ability to adhere to the health, safety and social distancing measures, and are able to settle additional learners faster and easier, will be allowed to continue phasing in more grades.
“The Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, the Department of Health, and the basic education sector will continue to closely monitor the developments in schools, in terms of the virus and the pandemic; and advise the CEM and cabinet accordingly. CEM will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation on a weekly basis,” it said.
Meanwhile, the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has called for all schools to be closed until after the peak of the coronavirus in the country.
The union told the media Tuesday after its national executive’s virtual meeting that the department of education must consider using radio and digital platforms for teaching and learning.
SADTU secretary-general Mugwena Maluleke claimed the department was failing to ensure effective teaching and learning during the lockdown.
He said a number of schools were experiencing a high rate of absenteeism due to fears by both pupils and teachers.
“There’s little effective teaching and learning taking place when you have fewer learners in the classroom than you have got teachers,” Maluleke said.