The National Department of Basic Education says they will accommodate learners from the more then 1 500 schools vandalised during the more than two month lockdown period.
Grades 7 and 12 learners return to class when schools reopen on June 1.
Basic Education national spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, says the department is busy assessing the damage at all vandalized schools.
Mhlanga says, “We could not assess all the schools because of the lockdown. Now that school principals are in schools they can check on the damage that has been caused and they would establish the amount of work that is required. We are working with Eskom, the Department of Public Works and all other departments to ensure that these schools are ready.”
He says at some schools the storage facilities, principal’s office or administration buildings were damaged. In those cases, the learners can still be taught in the classrooms. Where the entire school was damaged, alternative plans are being made.
Meanwhile, vandals burnt down the administration building at Soshanguve Secondary School in Tshwane during the lockdown.
Next week, Grade 12 learners at Soshanguve Secondary school, like others across the country, must be back in class. However, Japhta Baloyi of the school’s Governing Body says they can’t re-open because nothing is left of the building.
Baloyi says, “Soshanguve High, the way I have assessed is not ready to be opened now. The whole admin block has been burnt. There’s nothing here…”
A school in Ekangala has been burgled twice in 48 hours and all the Personal Protection Equipment that was meant for the teachers was stolen.
The Provincial Education Department’s Steve Mabona asked that anyone with information about the culprits should contact the police.
I can believe this, now they burning schools. This is SOSHANGUVE HIGH SCHOOL pic.twitter.com/uGt0Cxp5q1
— Tebogo Matjeke (@matjeke_tebogo) April 8, 2020
The Educators Union of South Africa (EUSA) says schools should only reopen in September as temperatures will be higher and therefore provide a better climate to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The union has served the Basic Education Department with legal papers, saying it intends to interdict the opening of schools on June 1.
EUSA General Secretary, Siphiwe Mpungose, says if Motshekga persists with the reopening of schools, they will push for her to be charged with attempted genocide as two school principals in the Western Cape are alleged to have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Psychologists also say that the return to school for thousands of children next month will prove to be a challenging time for both learners and parents.
Psychologist Rakhi Beekrum says while these fears from parents are expected, it is important to begin preparing children now for the return to school under challenging circumstances.
Beekrum says, “It’s important for the parent to meet the child where they are, to listen to how they’re feeling, to validate the feeling, acknowledge what their concerns are. We need to reassure our children why we equipping them with protective measures for themselves. Those that are excited want the routine and want to be with friends; those who are anxious might have been bullied at school and have enjoyed this time away. Children will feed off your anxiety. If you are highly anxious, children are likely to feel the same way. We have to acknowledge that this is new normal that we are entering.”
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