[ad_1]
By Sisonke Mlamla 
7h ago
Cape Town – Despite the government’s statement that South Africa had entered the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said her department was ready for the 2021 academic year.
Motshekga said schools would reopen on January 25 for teachers and that students are expected to return on January 27, and said all provinces have finalized admissions processes.
District offices would be available to assist parents when the need arises.
Motshekga said that since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) had been monitoring the state of the provinces on a weekly basis to ensure systems were in place to deal with the pandemic and provide support where needed. to ensure the reopening and proper functioning of schools.
“We will maintain the delicate balance of health and safety in schools and also ensure we close the gaps for curriculum recovery, which we have been able to successfully accomplish during the 2020 academic year,” he said.
He said senior industry executives under the leadership of the department’s CEO would work through the holiday season to put the finishing touches on the already existing plan for 2021.
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has asked the department to develop intervention mechanisms to cover lost ground in the curriculum.
“Motshekga should introduce an action plan that will focus primarily on addressing lost time in regards to the completion of the annual teaching plan,” Makaneta said.
Education MEC spokesperson Debbie Schäfer, Kerry Mauchline, said they will continue to work with the national department to implement a recovery plan over the next year.
“We will be monitoring the status of the pandemic very closely in the lead up to the reopening of schools in late January. Our priority will remain the same as before: to continue to provide quality education while keeping our students and staff as safe as we possibly can, “Mauchline said.
Progressive Organization Formation Acting Secretary Brian Isaacs said the situation should be monitored by the department, teacher unions, parents, and student bodies and should agree to postpone the start of the academic year in case there is a spike in the virus in January and February.
Progressive Directors Association spokesman Faiek Abrahams said WCED had instructed schools to prepare two schedules, one for normal circumstances and one as it was in effect under the strict Covid-19 lockdown.
“In this way, they have covered the possibility of Covid-19 restrictions that have yet to be met. Schools should have planned for both scenarios,” Abrahams said.
He said he was concerned about staffing issues, budget cuts and how they would affect underprivileged and under-resourced schools.
Cape argus
[ad_2]
