Readers Views: Schools too often out for Dept of Chaotic Learning

We had a week's school holiday from March 31 to April 4.

We then have several public holidays, April 18 (a Friday) April 21 (Monday), April 28 (Monday a week later), then, the same week, May 1 (Thursday), then the following week, May 7 (voting day).

The obvious question should be, why not have the week's school holiday incorporate all the public holidays?

Surely this makes sense?

But wait, there is more.

I was told this week that next week, April 28 to May 2, will be a week's school holiday.

How on earth does our Department of Chaotic Learning expect schools to cover the curriculum or their sporting programmes?

How are teachers supposed to have continuity of teaching with all these breaks in routine?

How are parents supposed to cater all of a sudden for their children being at home?

With proper foresight and planning, the Department of Chaotic Learning could have avoided the huge disruption to classes, pupils, teachers and parents alike by incorporating a once-off school holiday from April 18 to May 2. - Gordon Upton, Port Elizabeth

SMS comments: On '40 rhino horns stolen from state agency':

The way this theft was carried out suggests it was the work of the very people entrusted with saving the rhino. Who else would have known where the horns are kept? - Anon

Do we need more public hospitals?

OF COURSE we could use more hospitals but, more importantly, we need properly equipped and maintained hospitals, fully staffed by properly trained and competent people. Buildings don't heal the sick and injured. People do the healing - if they care. - Anon

THEANC is pompous enough to want to make us believe it has good stories to tell about healthcare. Chris Hani Baragwanath was one of the best hospitals in South Africa under apartheid. What's the ANC's excuse for running it into the ground? - Mariette Pepler-Harcombe

On ''Sharing' of farms a risky gambit':

SOUTH Africa will have to import food very soon, following the same route as Zimbabwe. Farming is a specialised business done by professionals. It doesn't seem like the previously disadvantaged land occupants understand the concept of commercial farming. No food, no vote. - Leon Herman Jordaan

On 'Platinum belt on a knife's edge':

IF THE crucial meeting collapses, the best way forward would be to demand a 'revote' by Amcu members. The mandate from strikers will be different. The strike is a lose-lose situation for the workers. - Baba Saloojee

On 'Owls to be used to combat rodents in Joburg':

THIS is one of the best eco ideas I have heard in a while. Just make sure no rat poisons are around, otherwise the owls will die. - Donna Jooste-Coetsee

On 'Choose DA ladder over ANC snake - Zille':

'MAKE your vote count.' We hear and read this phrase so often these days. South Africa has millions of illiterate and uneducated voters who are coached, indoctrinated and used by their leaders. They are unable to reason or comprehend the consequences of their vote. The reduced level of support for the ANC indicates that voters are now better able to decide their future, thanks to a greater degree of education. - Crying Citizen