This follows the department of Basic Education that presented a Covid-19 school plan to Portfolio Committee on Education, and dates are as follows:
Grades 11 and 6 will return on May 20;
Grades 10 and 5 will return on June 3;
Grades 9 and 4 will return on June 17;
Grades 8 and 3 will return on July 1;
Grades 2 and 1 will return on July 8; and
Grade R will return on July 15.
Director-General of the department Mathanzima Mweli said screening of pupils and educators will be done at the re-opening of schools.
“A basic and essential hygiene and sanitation package has been developed and provinces are procuring items. The department has developed guidelines for schools on maintaining hygiene during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“Teachers and pupils will have to sanitise hands before entering the classroom. The movement of learners in classes will be limited and there will be no clustering of desks in the classroom.
The physical distance in the classroom will include not more than two learners sharing desks. Both teachers and learners are expected to wear masks at all times,” Mweli said.
A supporting document that schools must ensure:
- No hugging, handshaking and direct contact must be avoided.
- Cloth masks to be worn by learners and teachers at all times.
- No mass public events.
- Sports matches, choral practices and festivals, Eisteddfods are not permitted.
- Extra classes should be arranged in small groups that maintain social distancing.
