Education:
(a) How many schools in the province are able to comply with COVID-19 regulations when they go back to full capacity, (b) which schools are able to comply and (c) what criteria are used to show compliance?
a) Schools that are unable to safely return to a traditional timetabling model are to inform the Head of Department in writing by 23 July 2021 with the reasons as to why they cannot adopt a traditional timetabling model. (This was an extended deadline given the changes to the school calendar.)
Primary schools and special education needs schools are to consider their learner numbers and the space they have available to apply social distancing, “where practicable”. Therefore, all possible space must be utilised in their school to accommodate the return of all learners.
If the Head of Department is satisfied with the reasons provided by the school, he will provide approval for the school to continue with the TREPs model. Schools that have applied will be notified if their application has been approved next week.
b) A list of schools will only be available after the deadline for submission.
c) The Department of Basic Education has released a Standard Operating Procedure for the containment and management of Covid-19.
All schools must comply with the contents of this document which has been gazetted. The main hindrance to the return to full capacity is the 1m physical distancing provision in this document – “Schools should work on the practicality of implementing physical distancing of 1 metre in primary and secondary schools per class”.
