Primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal have until Friday to report back to the provincial Education Department
about challenges they face in accommodating learners on a full-time basis.
Primary schools were expected to return to full capacity from yesterday, however, not all learners returned due to capacity issues.
Teaching & Learning is not limited to the classroom, we as parents and guardians, also hold an important role in supporting our children at home. Here are some ways we can help our children in the learning process.#KZNEducation #GrowingKZNTogether pic.twitter.com/cFrfbELRGf
— KZN Education (@DBE_KZN) July 30, 2021
The department’s spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, says gaps in teaching and learning time drive the decision for all primary scholars to return to school.
However, he says schools must make social distancing a priority in their planning.
“The one thing that is the chief principle here is that it is safety first. What we want to emphasise is that there is no school that is forced to bring learners if it is not doable. The key thing is that you must have enough space. You must be able to observe the one metre so that we protect our children.”
“But in case you are unable to do so, devise a plan B, as to how we are going to continue with the rotational timetable. The enrichment programme, how is it going to be factored in such that learners, they are on par with other learners that are back at school.”
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Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Parents’ Association in KwaZulu-Natal, Vee Gani, has urged schools to make submissions to the department, outlining whatever challenges they may have with social distancing.
Gani says parents are concerned about the risks, given that children are also susceptible to the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
“I’ve encouraged schools to present their problems. We are not encouraging schools to do the alternate schooling system because where schools can maintain social distancing, and there are a couple of schools that have 300-odd students, we encouraging those schools to continue with the normal schooling system because they have the capacity to do that.”
“Remember this is only for schools where there are logistical issues. We understand that the Delta variant is susceptible to children. There’s a number of schools already that have COVID-19 cases. Some parents are saying look, if the department is going to insist that all the children come back and have forty in the classroom, then we are not going to send our children,” adds Gani.
Teachers’ unions in the Northern Cape say opening few schools to operate at full capacity will disadvantage those who are unable to.
The Northern Cape Department of Education has confirmed that only 79 out of 424 primary schools in the province can accommodate all learners at once.
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