T he Department of Basic Education says pupils at public schools will officially be back in class on 15 February 2021. But private schools will be allowed to open two weeks earlier on 1 February, according to the Government Gazette. The opening of schools was pushed forward by two weeks in light of Covid-19. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says pupils at public schools must be back in the classroom on 15 February, but private schools will be allowed to open two weeks earlier. On Friday, the Department of Basic Education released a notice in the Government Gazette after Motshekga announced, on 15 January, that the opening would be pushed forward by two weeks in light of Covid-19.