Ramaphosa: Public schools ‘to take a break’ for 4 weeks
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country’s public schools will close their doors for the next four weeks.
This comes after mounting pressure from unions and parents to shut schools amid the growing Covid-19 infections.
The country now has over 400 000 cumulative cases and over 6000 fatalities.
Speaking from the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, Ramaphosa said the schools will be closed from July 27.
“Taking into account the views of the various stakeholders and expert bodies, Cabinet has decided today that all public schools should take a break for the next four weeks.
“This means that schools will be closed from the 27th July and reopened on the 24th August. There are of course some exceptions.
“Grade 12 pupils and teachers will only take a 1-week break, returning on August 3, while grade 7 pupils will take a 2-week break returning on August 10.”
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Ramaphosa also revealed that the academic year will be extended beyond 2020.
“The Minister of Basic Education will provide details on the management of the remainder of the year.”
Ramaphosa acknowledged that the decision will not please everyone.
“I am aware that this announcement that I have just announced will disappoint many learners who want to be back in school and will cause inconvenience and difficulty for many families who need to make alternative child care arrangements,” he said.
Listen to Ramaphosa's full speech here: