Should the opening of schools be put on hold?

As more businesses start to open up under Level 3 of the national lockdown, South Africa also faces the huge challenge of schools reopening this week - under what is unusual and difficult circumstances. The reopening of schools in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is the biggest issue on everyone’s lips at the moment (besides cigarettes!) and we know there are many anxious parents out there, who are not ready to send their children to school as yet.

As we know, the phased reopening of schools is set to start with the return of Grade 7 and 12 learners on Monday 1st of June, while school management teams (SMTs) returned yesterday. Already, several trade unions are up in arms over the Department of Basic Education’s decision – with the Educators Union of South Africa (Eusa) taking the government to court. Eusa says Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and her department misled the public about supplying personal protective equipment and guaranteeing the safety of pupils and teachers.

Former DA Leader Mmusi Maimane joined thousands of parents who are against their kids returning to school by launching a petition and within hours, thousands of parents showed their support. He has now called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to react after the petition gathered over 150 000 signatures.

In the news today, we saw that two Cape Town schools are temporarily shut after returning teachers tested positive for COVID19.