The focus is now phasing in other grades. File image. The focus is now phasing in other grades. File image.
A TOTAL of 515 of the 534 schools in the Northern Cape opened for Grade 12 and Grade 7 pupils on Monday, and the next step will be the phasing in of the other grades.
The Northern Cape Department of Education said that minor problems were reported at some of the schools that reopened on Monday. Nineteen schools in the Pixley ka Seme District were forced to remain closed due to the increase in Covid-19 positive cases in that district.
Department spokesperson Lehuma Ntuane said that the number of infections in the Renosterberg and Umsobomvu municipal areas posed a risk to the reopening of schools in that district.
“We will announce the dates when these schools can open in due course,” said Ntuane.
He added that the department was working around the clock to address the “teething” challenges reported at some schools in the Northern Cape.
“We have deployed the Northern Cape Provincial Government Executive Council, PROVJOINT, members and senior officials of the department to schools to monitor and assess our systems and controls that are in place.
"Our general findings during the monitoring visits were that some schools have adequate classrooms and desks to accommodate Grade 7 and 12 pupils. Four schools reported shortages of hygiene packs. We have an emergency supply in store to give to schools who are in need of that. Three schools reported challenges with adequate and clean ablution facilities, while 16 schools reported challenges with the supply of water from the municipality and 12 schools in the ZF Mgcawu District, one school in John Taolo Gaetsewe District, one school in the Pixley ka Seme District and four schools in the Namakwa District experienced pupil transport challenges,” said Ntuane.
He added that the department was also focussing on the phasing in of other school grades and revising the school calendar.
The phased reopening of public and independent schools, which started with grades 7 and 12 this week, will be followed by the second cluster of grades on July 6, while the last cluster will return to school on August 3, 2020.
"We are in the process of revising the 2020 school calendar year to accommodate the peculiarities brought about by the novel Covid-19 pandemic."
Ntuane said the registration of pupils for the next academic year will be communicated at a later stage.
“We are currently focussing on the phasing in of the grades as well as addressing the outstanding challenges. We will advise parents about pupil registrations in due course,” he said.
Ntuane added the department was grateful to the teacher unions, school governing bodies, teachers, education staff and parents for their commitment towards the future of the pupils.
He reminded those parents who have opted to homeschool their children that they have to liaise with the department.
“We have issued information leaflets about home education. Parents who choose to homeschool their children must contact the department and they will be assisted on how to register their child. Parents must apply for their children for homeschooling otherwise the child cannot be assessed. All schools use the same assessment process. If the child is not registered for homeschooling or not deregistered at their previous school, it will result in the pupil being marked as absent. Parents must ensure that they contact the department to get the process under way. All information pertaining to homeschooling can also be found on the website of the Education Department,” said Ntuane.