Second phase of learners return to school

Writer: Hedda Mittner.

Learners in Grade R, 6 and 11 returned to school on Monday as part of the government’s phased-in approach to the reopening of schools. These learners now join the Grade 7 and 12 learners who went back to school on 1 June.

This amendment to the gazetted directions for the reopening of schools, which would also have seen ECD, Grade 1, 2, 3 and 10 learners return to their classes on 6 July, was again announced at the last minute by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, at a press briefing held on Sunday afternoon.

In another U-turn, it was decided that only Grade 6 and 11 learners had to return to school this week. Schools that were ready to receive their Grade R learners could also go ahead as planned, the Minister said, adding that not all schools were at the same level of readiness and had until the end of the month to accommodate their Grade Rs.

The Grade 1 learners at Hermanus Primary, who went back to school on Monday, are divided into groups that rotate in order to keep classes at 50% capacity.

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