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Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade, has acknowledged that only some schools may be in a position to reopen on Monday, while others will likely reopen later in the week.
He was speaking in East London on Friday on the Province’s state of readiness to reopen schools from 1 June.
Gade said that a delay in the delivery of Personal Protective Equipment and water would mean that some schools would only open on Wednesday or Thursday.
“We have received responses from more than 15 000 suppliers across the province. The first cohort of 36 suppliers was for the delivery of PPE’s to the SMT (School Management Teams) and teachers,” he said.
He added that the Provincial Department of Education had given appointment letters to 200 suppliers for the provision of PPE’s for learners, which he said were in the process of being delivered.
The MEC said the safety of learners and teachers remain a priority.
“We will be partnering with the Health Department to link up our schools to the nearest health facilities. Learner temperatures will be taken daily as part of the screening measures.”
Gade said learners with consistently high temperatures or even once off high temperatures will be placed in a holding room while awaiting referral.
Classrooms will be decontaminated and teachers and other learners will also be tested.
Only those who later test negative for Covid19 will be allowed to return to school.
Gade said schools without any water supply, will be provided with a filled tank for use, with 480 being delivered already.
Scholar transport will be provided and routes were being provided for the Department of Transport but under strict conditions.
The MEC said there were 756 schools across the province scheduled to reopen for Grades 7 and 12.
