Maimane to continue with legal action over reopening of schools
One South Africa Movement founder Mmusi Maimane says he is going ahead with his legal action against the Department of Basic Education.
This in spite of the fact that Minister Angie Motshekga confirming that the department has pushed the reopening of schools back by a week to June 8.
Grades 7 and 12s were supposed to head back to class on Monday, but Motshekga considered three reports that indicated schools are not ready.
Nevertheless, Maimane says he will be approaching the Constitutional Court.
"We are seeking a supervisory role to be given by the Constitutional Court so they can certify that all schools are ready. Because it does not help that some schools are ready and others are not it limits the rights of all to gain access to education."
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Motshekga 'sorry' for 11th hour postponement
Grade 7 and 12 pupils were set to return to the classroom on June 1. Motshekga says the priority for the department is the safety of pupils and without protective gear they cannot allow schools to reopen. "I really want to apologise wholeheartedly for the inconvenience caused yesterday.
Meanwhile, Equal Education's general-secretary Noncedo Madubedube says its disappointing that a month after Motshekga announced school would reopen, the department is still not ready.
"We are concerned that DBE has not provided leadership during this period and we would like to urge the department to move speedily to resolve the issues in their different provinces for all, especially those who are already marginalized."