Bumpy road back to school

Writer: Hedda Mittner.

It was a question of “hurry up and wait” as the Western Cape schools reopened for Grade 7 and 12 learners on Monday morning 1 June, despite another U-turn by the government at the eleventh hour.

Educators and parents nationwide were anxiously awaiting Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga’s press briefing that was due to have started at 18:00 on Sunday evening, before being abruptly cancelled and postponed until 11:00 on Monday morning.

Social media immediately erupted with agitated parents wanting to know what this meant: do they send their children to school in the morning, or not? And what about the boarders who had already been dropped off at their boarding schools earlier on Sunday?

One comment on Facebook read: “I’m so confused, my child’s confused, her teacher and principal are confused. I’m trying my utmost to console my Gr 12 daughter right now. We are angry, frustrated, infuriated, disappointed and discouraged. Angie, can you just make a decision and stick with it!!!”

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