The South Africa Government has decided to reopen schools despite increase cases of COVID-19 cases in the country; certain graders on Monday return to classrooms as the Government gradually ease the coronavirus lockdown imposed two months ago
Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga assured South Africans that safety measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at schools.
“We can now say with confidence that about 95 percent of our schools have been ably provided with the COVID-19 related imperatives.
Meanwhile, pupils of grade 7 and 12 returning to schools were seen wearing masks and their temperature were taken at the entrance of schools to ensure no sick child entered the classrooms.
Schools were seen observing safety measures like social distancing, and provision of sanitizers for students.
Pictures were posted by Provincial education officials and school heads showing learners on social media observing physical distance in classrooms with their desk meters apart.
The Department of Basic Education initially scheduled June 1 for the reopening of schools, but had to postpone classes to ensure readiness for resumption.
Deputy Basic Education Minister, Regina Mhaule in a tweet said, “We are forced to adapt to the new normal in schools to curb the spread of COVID-19. The health and safety of our educators and learners is of paramount importance.
The Government has been gradually easing the coronavirus lockdown, last week, South Africa which had one of the most-strict lockdown regulations worldwide, started allowing citizens to return to work, exercise outside their homes and go to worship.
However, there are reports of 48,285 infections and 998 deaths in South Africa, the highest confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Africa, it is not certain how the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s led government would react in curtailing the virus in the case of a spike as schools reopens.
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