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Western Cape Education MEC, Debbie Schaefer, is calling on learners planning private matric parties to reconsider, and she has also called on parents to convince their children not to attend these events.
Schaefer's appeal on Thursday comes amid an increase in Covid19 infections in the Province, with the Garden Route named as a key driver.
The MEC said while she welcomed the cancellation of the commercially-arranged Plett Rage, she said she was aware that many matriculants were nonetheless going ahead with gatherings of their own.
"Please, I ask our matrics and their parents to carefully consider the risks of continuing with these events. This includes the risks to themselves, their family members, and the general public. The clear advice of health experts is to avoid large gatherings where it is difficult to properly observe Covid-19 protocols."
Schaefer said it was understandable that the matrics and other learners would want to let their hair down after a very stressful year, but she said the Province was now entering a critical time in the pandemic.
"We cannot afford another lockdown, and we must keep ourselves and others safe. This takes a great degree of personal responsibility from each and every one of us. Our matrics are now entering the adult world, it is time to show the responsibility that we expect of adults," she said.
