It's Back To School – But It Won't Be Easy

As some learners head back to classrooms, we answer burning questions about safety and logistics

- Lesego Seokwang

No more frantic googling to figure out how to explain long division to your child. No more nagging, begging and tearing out your hair as you try to get your kids to buckle down and do their schoolwork.

At first glance there seemed to be obvious upsides to Grade 7 and Grade 12 learners, with the exception of the Western Cape, returning to school from Monday 8 June. They’ll get back to proper schooling, be out of your hair while you try to work and they’ll generally start to get back to normal life with their friends.

But the fear of Covid-19 is still everpresent, leaving many parents to wonder just how exactly their kids are going to be safe once they’re back on the school benches.

Sure, global statistics show the vast majority of children who contract the coronavirus get only a mild form of the disease. But what if yours is among the tiny minority who develops life-threatening complications? What steps are schools taking to protect them from catching the virus?

And is there even any point in sending them back? Will they really be able to catch up on all the work that’s been missed? We answer your questions.

THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLAN

Minister of basic education Angie Motshekga recently pushed back the reopening of schools after it was found that more than 3 000 schools were not ready to reopen on 1 June, as she initially announced.

One of the most important aspects of the reopening is the safety of teachers and children. Safety measures will include:

Physical distancing in classrooms with no more than two learners sharing a desk.

No hugging or handshaking.

Direct contact must be avoided.

Daily screenings when learners arrive at school, which will include temperature tests and looking for flu-like symptoms.