Faizel Patel – 28/06/2021
The Executive Director of teacher’s union NAPOTSA Basil Manuel says the decision to close schools is not surprizing as they were consulted by government.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on Sunday night in the latest so-called family meeting as the country faces an unprecedented third wave, with a fourth wave a possibility.
Ramaphosa announced that public and private school will close early for the winter break.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Manuel says while their biggest concern was the closure of schools, it will assist in stopping the spread of the Coronavirus.
“With the banning of social activities and gatherings, that does assist in ensuring that the closure of schools is actually going to assist in reducing movement and reducing and reducing infections rates and that is what we wanted.”
Manuel says they have received a draft regulation for schools from the education department.
“A draft government gazette has been issued in terms of the closure, who’s closing. We will comment on that and we have to by today. We are suggesting that the return date be the 26th be kept because different provinces will have different peaks. To put a date on the 19th and then have to extend it again doesn’t make sense to us.”
Manuel says school management teams are fatigued and need rest and the closure of schools will provide them with a break before schools reopen.
Listen to the interview with Basil Manuel
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