Basic education minister Angie Motshekga’s plans to partially reopen schools from tomorrow are in serious doubt, according to a report in the Sunday Times.
As part of the staggered approach, the grades 7 and 12 are expected to return to school tomorrow.
This week, teacher unions and national governing body associations called on Motshekga to urgently postpone the reopening of schools on Monday, warning that the move will only perpetuate inequalities at schools across the country.
In a joint statement, the unions have raised a number of concerns, including that most provincial departments have reported that schools have not been cleaned and disinfected and that educators need time to be trained on how to operate in the COVID-19 environment.
The latest report now states that the new twist followed a marathon meeting between Motshekga, MECs, teacher unions and governing body associations last night. The minister is expected to make an announcement today after consulting further, says South African Democratic Teachers’ Union spokesperson Nomusa Cembi.
Several sources said Motshekga acknowledged to the five unions and three major governing body associations that met with her that “the system is not completely ready”.
It also came as the One South Africa Movement, headed by former DA leader Mmusi Maimane, and the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) said yesterday they were going to court to stop the re opening.
For more read: Motshekga’s plan for partial reopening of schools on hold after talks with unions, parent bodies
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