BACK TO SCHOOL NEXT MONTH

Normally at this time of the year, schools are reopened. The original pre-COVID-19 school calendar had scheduled school’s return for the 13th of January 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic this was rescheduled to 27 January for learners. This has now been further postponed to 15 February 2021.

Learners will continue being at home and vandalising the fridge. Learners are only expected to return to school next month.

The announcement was made at a press briefing today, 15 January 2021, by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Reginah Mhaule. The Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, is currently on sick leave.

The Council of Education, Cabinet and the National Coronavirus Council (NCCC) has taken a decision to delay opening of schools by two weeks. School Management Teams (SMTs) will report on duty on 25 January 2021, teachers will return to schools on 01 February 2021 and learners will return on the 15th of February.

The SMTs will go first to prepare for the return of teachers; and teachers will prepare the return of learners. Schools will use the time to finalise outstanding matters like admissions, especially unplaced learners in certain cases.

The reopening of public schools will differ from private school’s.