Education
With regard to recent media speculation about learners returning to school full-time:
(1) Whether schools are currently allowed to have all their learners attending school; if not, why not; if so, what conditions must be met for a school to do so;
(2) whether she or her Department is aware of any discussions being held by the national government regarding all schools returning to their normal timetables; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1) Yes. Under the existing directions, schools may apply to return to normal timetabling, subject to implementing all Covid-19 safety protocols. Should a school wish to have 100% attendance, then they must apply to the district for permission to do so. The approval of such an application is dependent on whether the school has enough facilities, safety materials and the necessary procedures in place, that comply with all the relevant health and safety protocols. Existing Temporary Revised Education Plans still apply until such approval is given.
This permission may be rescinded if the correct protocols are not followed. This option remains in place for all schools until 26 July 2021 and will remain in place for high schools thereafter.
(2) On Friday 28 May 2021, the Minister of Basic Education gazetted new directions under the Disaster Management Act, stipulating a return to full attendance for primary schools and schools for learners with special needs from 26 July 2021.
The amended Directions indicate that:
• All primary school learners (Grades R to 7) must return to the daily attendance and traditional timetabling model from 26 July 2021.
• All special school learners (Grades R to 12) must return to the daily attendance and traditional timetabling model from 26 July 2021.
The directions state: “Where practicable, a primary school, a school for learners with special education needs that returns to the traditional timetabling model and school hostels must comply with the social distancing, minimum health and safety measures on COVID-19, as contemplated in these directions, the DBE Standard Operating Procedures and the Regulations.”
The directions include provision for a Risk Adjusted Strategy, that allows for the differentiated operation of school timetables depending on the course of the pandemic in a specific area. Covid-19 safety protocols will continue to apply in schools.
