A worker moves school desks apart to promote social distancing.
- Grade 3 and Grade 10 pupils were supposed to return to school on Monday.
- This was in terms of amended directions in the government Gazette by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
- Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal have opted not to do so.
The Limpopo and Kwazulu-Natal education departments have suspended the return of Grade 3 and Grade 10 pupils to school.
The grades had been due to to return on Monday, along with several grades from schools for pupils with severe intellectual disabilities and those with autistic pupils.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga had specified that these grades be phased in, in directions published in the Government Gazette amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ | Back to school: Here is the return date for every grade
“The Gazette still stands, but some provinces have postponed,” department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said on Monday.
In a circular, Kwazulu-Natal education HOD Dr Enock Nzama confirmed that no additional grades should be phased in during July until he formally directed.
Feedback
“Parents who have opted for their children to study from home are further advised to ensure that work is collected from schools and regular feedback be provided to teachers.”
Limpopo education spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said that they had decided to suspend the return of these grades “after careful consideration of all key variables”.
“Further directives on this decision will be communicated in due course. This decision does not affect arrangements that are already in place for learners who benefit from the National School Nutrition Programme. All eligible learners will continue to access their meals at school.”
Grades 1 and 2 are set to return to school next Monday.
