A school’s a school whether you like it or not, says DBE on reopening

Curro schools will continue to provide face-to-face learning to pupils next week despite government’s announcement on Friday that the reopening of schools had been postponed until February 15.

Curro, the country’s largest private education provider, operated 177 schools last year.

Deputy basic education minister Makgabo Reginah Mhaule said “given the pressure experienced by the health system in the past few weeks, occasioned by increased Covid-19 infections which [have] led to the second wave, the Council of Education Ministers, in conjunction with the National Coronavirus Command Council and cabinet, has taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools [for] two weeks”.

“This includes private schools that have reopened already. They will need to postpone their reopening to a later date. This is done to provide relief to the health system, which is already struggling to cope with the current demands. The new dates for the reopening of private schools will vary depending on the calendar that they follow.”

Curro spokesperson Mari Lategan told Sunday Times Daily on Saturday that schools on calendars that differ from public schools can remain open, though requested to close and reopen later.

“The choice, at this stage and as far as we are aware, is 100% that of the independent school. Nothing to the contrary has been gazetted as yet.”

Curro schools reopened on Wednesday.

Lategan said they had “heightened protocols in line with the second wave and allowed back learners in line with level three requirements”.

“Our schools have all made plans for fewer learners at school next week and, if need be, will keep to less people on campus for a longer period.”

She said pupils who battle and “those who are new to our schools are given preference, as well as grades where it is difficult to move to remote learning”.

Curro had not yet been afforded the opportunity to consult directly with government, as it was not a member of the National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations (Naisa) or the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (Isasa), Lategan said.

“We have, via our relationship with Naisa, requested a discussion with the department to outline our processes and context to keep staff, learners and our communities safe.”

Frank Rumboll, the executive head of Curro Rivonia, informed parents in a letter on Friday that Curro Rivonia Castle and all Grade R to 5 pupils will continue to experience face-to-face learning until mid-February, “for now”.

“We noted that the message was not clear in terms of independent schools, but we will continue with our educational offering and remain open until and if government’s announcement is formally gazetted.”

Mhaule said during Friday’s briefing that “we are one country and even if you are an independent school, you are a school”.

“They operate within the same community and same society in the Republic of SA. We cannot treat some as if they live somewhere we don’t know,” she said.

“It’s not a matter of punishing anybody. It’s a matter of taking care of the lives of South Africans. We are taking care of the lives of teachers, non-teaching staff and pupils. It’s not a punishment or holding anyone to ransom that you cannot go to school.”

Evidence does not suggest that schools have played a significant role in the spreading of the virus or will do so in future.

—  South African Human Rights Commission

Mzwandile Matthews, an adviser to the department, said they had consulted Isasa and Naisa about the delayed reopening.

“The determination made was that both Naisa and Isasa will persuade the schools that have reopened to follow the reopening protocols. The ones that have not yet opened will be persuaded to consider delaying the reopening. Unfortunately we can’t direct them. We are expecting they will consider opening and closing as stated by the deputy minister.”

Meanwhile, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has expressed concern about the implications of the postponement “for the right to a basic education, the best interests of the child and the loss of teaching and learning time”.

“Evidence does not suggest that schools have played a significant role in the spreading of the virus or will do so in future.  

“On the contrary, schools have proved to be some of the safest spaces when health and safety protocols are adhered to,” the SAHRC said.

It said children have been much less affected by the virus than others and few children have died from the pandemic.

“There is currently little evidence that suggests that this will significantly change as a result of the new variant of the virus. Nor is it clear how a two-week delay in the opening of schools will assist in protecting learners, teachers and support staff.”