File
The Department of Basic Education has announced that the reopening of schools has been delayed with learners now returning on 15 February.
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Regina Mhaule, delivered the statement on Friday in the place of Minister Angie Motshekga, who is said to be on sick leave.
Mhaule said school management teams would return on 25 January to prepare the schools for the return of teachers on 1 February and learners on 15 February.
She said the decision to delay the opening of schools for the 2021 calendar year followed widespread consultations with the Council of Education Minister, HOD’s, school governing body association, and national associations representing schools and learners with special needs.
“All stakeholders were united in supporting a delay in the opening of school,” Deputy Minister Mhaule said.
She said the two-week delay includes private schools that have reopened already. “They will need to postpone their reopening to a later today,” the Deputy Minister said.
Mhaule said the Council of Education Minister said it took this “difficult decision” having considered all the factors “as backed up by research and statistics, regarding the current state of the health system.”
“The priority remains saving lives,” she said.
