By Naadiya Adams- @Miss_Naadiya

Deputy Minister of Education, Reginah Mhaule briefed media on Friday morning on the update of schools.

Cabinet has taken the decision to delay the reopening of both public and private schools by two weeks. It includes private schools that have already opened. They will need to postpone their reopening to a later date.

For public schools and private schools which follow the same calendar, changes are as follows:

• School Management Teams (SMTs) shall report for duty on Monday, 25 January 2021;
• Teachers shall follow on Monday, 01 February 2021; and
• Lastly, learners return on Monday, 15 February 2021.

The decision comes in the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 and concern over fueling the spread through schools while the health system buckles under the pressure. Consultations between Cabinet, the Council of Education Ministers and the National Coronavirus Command Council led to the decision.

Mhaule says “CEM took this difficult decision, having considered all factors as backed up by research and statistics, regarding the current state of the health system.  The priority remains saving lives. The DBE will work closely with all nine Provincial Education Departments, to establish the true extent of the impact of the virus, resulting from the unfortunate demise of educators, workers and leaders in the sector, especially during the December / January holidays.”

Mhaule also said she could not say whether or not there will be another extension come February 15th.

Basic Education Minster Angie Motshekga has taken ill and could not deliver the address.