A proposal to delay the reopening of schools is expected to be made by education authorities to the national coronavirus command council .
City Press has learnt that education stakeholders met with the department of basic education director-general Mathanzima Mweli on Wednesday to discuss the matter.
Two unions and a national school governing body organisation have confirmed that it was agreed that the department would propose the delay of the reopening of schools on January 27 to a later date in February.
Chris Klopper, CEO of the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysers Unie, told City Press on Thursday that they were aware of the proposal.
PREMIUM! Motheo Tshwagong writes her preliminary examination at Krugersdorp High School in Johannesburg, 17 September 2020. 2020 academic year with long school breaks posed by Covid-19. Exams for most provinces will end during the first week of October. Final examinations start on November 5 and run until December 15. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
Basic department of education spokesman Elijah Mhlanga yesterday confirmed the department would likely allow pupils to go to schools in alternative weeks and on alternative days to reduce the numbers present. âWhat Mweli Mathanzi, director-general of the department, was talking about on Radio 702 is the continuation of the plan implemented in June 2020,â said Mhlanga. âThe splitting of classes will depend on the number of pupils in a classroom; we cannot have a one size fits all approach in this situation. A school needs to look at its circumstance and plan accord