Mzansi responds to school plan: 'Cancel 2020 academic year'
South Africans have expressed concerns about the department of basic education's readiness to resume its academic activities on May 18, following a virtual address by the department's director-general Mathanzima Mweli.
Pupils in grades 7 and 12 will be the first to be phased in.
Addressing parliament's basic education oversight committee, Mweli detailed protective measures put in place to ensure the safety of pupils, teachers and other staff.
These include the provisions of PPE for workers who will be tasked with cleaning the schools, masks, sanitisers and the replacement of pit latrines.
Schools will be required to observe social distancing by limiting the numbers to 40 per classroom and overcrowded schools will be provided with mobile classes.
Children with underlying conditions such as asthma will be exempt from attending school and will make use of e-learning, said Mweli.
Mid-year examinations have been cancelled to allow teachers and learners more time to catch up.
Many on social media said they feared it was still too early to resume the 2020 academic year, while some said the department was not ready to facilitate e-learning for learners with underlying conditions.
Here's a glimpse into some of the views shared on Twitter:
Basic Education department
— Catchvibe Moatshe (@IamCatchvibe) April 29, 2020
Would we be wrong if we take our children back to school next year 2021 since this year is already messed up?
We don't mind them repeating grades
We can't risk the lives of our children like that.
You guys are rushing things, our cases are increasing
Basic education is experimenting with the lives of children. no parent in their right mind will send their child to school .
— ODÉ (@odedanilo) April 29, 2020
Department of Basic Education is gambling with childrens lives 💔
— #OneMillionPadsCampaign🇿🇦🇨🇳🇨🇺 (@MajavuThabiso) April 29, 2020
Basic Education is trying to save 2020 academic year even though it's not safe to do so. 😕😕 pic.twitter.com/pEVHJXgcNz
— 🇿🇦 Calvin 🇿🇦 (@RealCal22) April 29, 2020
Basic education will be the epicentre if not managed properly. The overcrowding in rural and township schools is worrisome!
— Z.K Sibeko (@sibekoziyanda) April 29, 2020
The basic education presentation is done via skype/zoom to maintain social distancing. They are trying convince you that it is safe to let you children go back to school but they are addressing us via conference calls. What a joke.
— AndManyMore🌈 (@MasingwanengTom) April 29, 2020
Let them go back to parliament first 🤷🏾♀️
So, the Department of a Basic education promises to provide PPE and sanitizers, when they cannot even provide books. pic.twitter.com/5AlJ5wzvm9
— Khanya (@IamKhanyah) April 29, 2020
That basic education presentation is like plotting a suicide for learners am traumatized🥺 pic.twitter.com/faQcmmw5wl
— Maduvha (@Maduvha70109683) April 29, 2020
Welcome to South Africa where the number of corona virus cases rise everyday and the Basic Education is opening the schools pic.twitter.com/UII4iS0teq
— Munchie🥰🥰🥰👑 (@mosane_tshepang) April 29, 2020
Basic education should just forget it sherm, no parent in the right mind will sent their children to school in this pandemic its better they repeat a grade pic.twitter.com/8iWXMVlork
— Queen of the North 👑 (@Zandie46536804) April 29, 2020
The basic education should just cancel the 2020 academic year. We'll see next year. pic.twitter.com/FkmfrcnbGL
— Ùmjolo uzok'limaza💀. (@katTshabalala1) April 29, 2020
Basic education this thing of re-opening schools is useless🚮 pic.twitter.com/TtDaxhCI3a
— Ntsiki ER (@Ntsikier) April 29, 2020
Basic education couldn’t even supply all schools with textbooks but will somehow provide masks and sanitizers for every school ??
— ODÉ (@odedanilo) April 29, 2020
This Basic Education presentation is a damn mess. I’m actually scared for the kids! 😭
— Zanele ka Madiba (@MissMadiba) April 29, 2020
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