None of South Africa’s roughly 13 million pupils will return to school in May, although teachers should be back in their positions by May 18, says Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
She said at a media conference in Pretoria on Thursday night that matric and gr. 7 pupils will be the first pupils to return to school on June 1.
The other grades’ pupils will return gradually. Some pupils may not attend school again until September.
According to Motshekga, there are still discussions about the specific dates. It will then be submitted to the government’s coronavirus command board for approval.
As soon as this happens, the new school calendar will be published in the Government Gazette.
Motshekga says the second school term was lost due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
“Even though the schools cannot open by the end of June, two quarters are left. If 50% of the work is taught to pupils, they will be tested on 50%. The department does not want to put additional pressure on pupils when they return, ”says Motshekga.
“The Department of Basic Education is aware that in some areas the coronavirus rages worse and the measures there will differ.
The supplementary matric exam, which would start on Monday, will only take place in November, which means that about 350,000 students will write exams in November.
“The recovery plan is based on science. The department has been advised that a gradual approach should be taken, as 13 million children cannot attend school.
“As part of the department’s preparation, standard procedures are in place on how to handle Covid-19.
