Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says although there is an increasing number of learners getting infected with COVID-19, schools cannot close forever. He says South Africans have to learn to coexist with the virus.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is concerned that dropout rates will spike in 2020. The Minister says while they have put in a lot of work into curbing the number of children who drop out of school over the years, this year may reverse the gains made.
Teacher union, the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), insists that the re-opening of schools should be delayed as many schools are still not ready to accommodate learners.
Parents in KwaZulu-Natal have expressed mixed reactions to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga’s announcement that schools will re-open on June 1 for Grades 7 and 12.
The South African First Forum has objected to the reopening of the schools until a proper plan for the safety of the learners and teachers is in place.
SABC © 2020
