SGB body not happy with plan to reopen schools
School governing Body group, Fedsas says it is not happy with the plan by the Basic Education Department to reopen schools on 01 June with grade 7s and 12s.
Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga announced this week that the National Coronavrius Command Council had approved her department's plan to allow pupils to return to school gradually.
Despite Motshekga's assurances that the department will ensure pupils are safe, many parents are anxious.
Fedsas CEO, Paul Colditz says it would have made better sense to reopen schools with children who are at the foundation phase.
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"We questioned their rationality of sending grade 7s back to school,” said Colditz.
“We do understand the importance of grade 12s going back, but we don't understand why grade 7s need to go back and not the younger ones, the foundation phase learners because they are the ones who stand to lose the most.”
Colditz says parents of foundation phase learners are also worried about going back to work not having anyone to monitor their children.
"In many cases, preparations for readiness started a while ago in terms of the SGB but in many cases, there is a lot of anxiety as the majority of the members of SGB's are parents themselves who are concerned," added Colditz.
He said they have requested Motshekga to continue consulting medical experts and will monitor the situation.