Motshekga: ‘Full steam ahead’ for June 1 reopening
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga says the department remains steadfast that schooling will resume on June 1 amid the national Covid-19 lockdown.
The department has come under mounting pressure to settle uncertainty around the reopening of schools and the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, Motshekga said it’s full steam ahead for the sector in the coming month, while admitting that a lot of hard work lies ahead.
Grades 7 and 12 pupils are expected to be the first to return to the classroom, followed by the other grades.
“The national coronavirus command council and cabinet have approved the reopening of schools as of June 1 2020.
“All schools, even in our metropolitan areas, will reopen when other schools are reopening."
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Motshekga added: “As we were planning as much as e were reporting at different time will reopen on the 1st of June, we will start with grades 7s and 12s.
The minister said that she’s confident the department will meet the pre-requisites before schools open their gates.
“We had to get permission from the NCC that indeed our plans are accepted and now that it has been approved and we can start opening schools from the 1st of June, the revised school calendar will be gazetted soon.
“It will indicate the opening and closing dates and the breaks in between.”
A large consignment of personal protective equipment and water tanks will be distributed across the country to the aid the sector in a seamless transition back to school.