Independent schools estimate 15 February reopening
Independent schools may have to push back reopening their
doors by another month.
This comes amid great uncertainty about when pupils across the country will return to the classroom.
The Department of Basic Education met with stakeholders in the education sector on Wednesday night, raising its concerns about sending pupils back to school at the height of the pandemic.
The National Alliance of Independent Schools Association (Naisa) says it understands the department’s concerns, but doesn’t believe pushing the date back will benefit the sector.
Naisa chairperson Mandla Mthembu says there are fears of more job losses if schools stay out of action any longer.
“We’re in catch 22 situation. Naisa understands and is sensitive to the urgency and the need to save lives and the lives of our children and staff and those that work in the space and our sector.
“The delaying of the reopening of schools is one idea, however I need to underscore that independent schools, from last year since the lockdown, we’ve lost a lot and we found ourselves having to retrench our teachers and we are concerned that, as much as we agree and accept that we need to do something extraordinary like delay the reopening of schools, we are concerned that this will continue to adversely impact independent schools in terms of job losses,” Mthembu explains.
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He adds the sector is open to alternatives.
“As Naisa we’ve got the idea that if government can apply its mind and maybe look at adopting the same position that was adopted last year.
“If independent schools can continue to operate the volume in our streets and on the roads will not be as much as if all schools are open. We are only 4 per cent of the schooling sector so if 96 per cent is closed and only 4 per cent continues to operate, we see this as something manageable,” says Mthembu.
The department is expected to meet with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) in the coming days.
They’re expected to table a new date for schools to reopen.
“They said they hope to have the National Coronavirus Command Council talking about this matter and then deciding what to recommend going forward. The matter then has to go to Cabinet. The announcement will then be made by the President or the minister.
“But safe to say that there was a projection of saying if school should be open by mid next month then it should give the health system breathing safe to cope with the number of people that being admitted,” says Mthembu.
“So, we estimate that 15 February could be the date announced, we are not sure yet and we’re waiting for that announcement.”
Meanwhile, public schools are also in the dark.
