Are schools ready to re-open?

There is still much uncertainty regarding the reopening of school. Yesterday we saw the return of the school management teams while learners from public schools are due to return on the 15th February. The Department of Basic Education has confirmed the updated 2021 return dates for both public and private schools in South Africa. In a gazette published this weekend, Basic education minister Angie Motshekga indicated that the return of students will be staggered, with private school pupils allowed to return to school two weeks earlier than their public-school counterparts. The gazette also confirms that no pupils can return before the specified dates – either at public or private schools – although the document does not prohibit online or distance learning in any way.

Online for comment is Aslam Fataar is a professor in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Stellenbosch University as well as Bronagh Hammond of the WCED