Following the numerous calls to delay reopening of public schools in South Africa, The Department of Basic Education has confirmed that the reopening of schools has been postponed to February 15. Public schools were supposed to open on the 25th of January 2021.
“Given the pressure experienced by the health system in the past few weeks, occasioned by increased Covid-19 infections which has led to the second wave, the council of education ministers in conjunction with the national coronavirus command council and cabinet has taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools by two weeks,” said Deputy Basic Education, Minister, Reginah Mhaule.
“This includes private schools that have already reopened. They will need to postpone their reopening to a later date. This is to provide relief to the health system which is already struggling to cope with demands,” she added. The new dates for the reopening of private schools would vary depending on the calendar they follow.
The changes are as follows:
school management teams will report for duty on January 25;
teachers will follow on February 1 and pupils will return February 15.
