LEARNERS TO RETURN TO NORMAL SCHOOL HOURS ON MONDAY

Children will return to normal school hours as of Monday, 7 February 2022.

Schools have been on rotational learning since COVID-19 infections began soaring in the country.

Cabinet on Monday approved changes to coronavirus regulations that initially put learners on separate timetables to allow for adequate social distancing and decreased chances of catching the virus.

Cabinet said that schools could now resume full-time learning.

“The Council of Education Ministers met this morning to process the decision,” the department said in a statement released on Thursday.

“A series of meetings have been scheduled with stakeholders to inform them of the decision. In the meantime, the sector would prepare for the full return of learners,” it stated further.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is due to gazette the new direction and will give further details on the resumption of regular schooling.

Cabinet said on Monday that primary, secondary and special schools would return to daily attendance. The regulatory provision for social distancing of one metre for pupils in schools was also removed.