Basic Education: Churches can help with accommodation of pupils

On Sunday, Minister Angie Motshekga gazetted directions that all learners from grade R to 7 must return to the traditional and daily attendance timetable model from Monday.

The gazette says this is on the condition that all the Covid-19 regulations are implemented.

Motshekga was scheduled to visit primary schools in Gauteng alongside Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi to conduct their oversight.

But the visit was canceled at the 11th hour. 

Speaking at the Kabelo Primary School in Katlehong, the department’s Elijah Mhlanga said schools that aren't able to accommodate all primary school learners are not forced to do so.

"If the school does not have space or facilities to accommodate all its learners at the same time it should not do so. We have also outlined what the risk adjudged differentiated strategy means and how it should be applied.

“All the learners have the same curriculum to cover but not all schools have the resources to cover all the learners, it is a difficult situation and a difficult balancing act we need to try and achieve and we will work with schools to try and do that.

"We have seen that some schools have taken a decision to continue with the rotation system and have informed parents as such, we expect that parents will cooperate in that regard. But if the school has the means to accommodate all learners at the same time, they need to proceed to do so. 

 There are many options that can be implemented as when it becomes necessary, other schools are talking to churches near to them. The churches could offer space for learning as and when schools need them," said Mhlanga.

Mahlanga said although a lot of teaching time has been lost, it is important that all pupils are able to return to school in a safe environment.

High school pupils remain on a rotational timetable.

Read the gazette here:  

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