There are mixed feelings about learners returning to the classroom.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga announced that all primary school learners are set to return on a daily basis on Monday 2 August.
This comes after the school system took a huge knock since the start of the pandemic and valuable learning hours have been lost.
Parents are, however, concerned about how social distance will be maintained and the consistency to following all health protocols.
Nasley Moses, who has children at Langebaanweg Primary School and at Vredenburg Primary School, says she is sceptical about this return. “There is no way that teachers will be able to follow all protocol with so many learners daily,” she said. “I never had a problem with classes being divided, because our children’s futures depend on the school career.” With these new regulations Moses wonders how safe schools will be for learners.
Suzanda du Toit, who has two children at Panorama Primary School, shares the same sentiments and says children come from different households and then come in contact with other learners, which can cause the spread of the virus. Du Toit says she is aware that schools follow protocols, but wonder how dedicated learners are to these protocols.
Western Cape Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer says schools are looking forward to welcoming learners back. “I wish our learners and staff a happy and productive start to the third term, and trust that the fact that they have had access to the vaccine will give them a measure of reassurance,” she said.
Schäfer adds that the existing Covid-19 safety protocols for schools will continue to be followed.
“I am aware that some have been concerned about the implications of the return to normal timetabling in primary and special needs schools. We asked our schools to write to the Head of Department if they will not be able to return to full daily attendance, as well as the reasons for this.”
She reminds learners, staff and parents that the number of active cases in the province remains high, and that protocols need to be followed.
“We are all familiar by now with the importance and effectiveness of physical distancing, wearing masks and washing / sanitising our hands – these should be second nature to us now and in going forward.”
