Schools in Stellenbosch are working hard to ready themselves for the return of matric and grade seven learners on 1 June, in line with the minister of basic education, Angie Motshekga’s announcement on 19 May.
In line with Angie Motshekga’s announcement, local schools will partially reopen on 1 June. PHOTO: Unsplash/ Marjanblan / Taylor Wilcox/ visuals
Upon reopening, schools are expected to improve hygiene standards and implement frequent screening and social distancing procedures, according to a statement released by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), on 20 May.
According to Dorian Meyer, principal of Cloetesville High School in Stellenbosch, larger classes may have to be split into two classes, to adhere to the social distancing measures. This could mean that teachers of lower grades may have to teach the additional matric classes, he said.
Under prescribed social distancing measures, only 23 desks can fit into one classroom, said Meyer.
Because of the additional space required for learners, Meyer does not believe the school can accommodate more than one grade at the same time.
Meyer was also concerned about the safety of his teaching staff. “We have quite a few teachers with underlying illnesses and some of them are grade 12 teachers,” said Meyer.
And, while some schools have received hygiene supplies from the WCED, Meyer said that Cloetesville High School had not received hygiene supplies yet, apart from thermometers.
Paul Roos Gymnasium matrics will soon return for their second “first” day of school, when schools reopen for matriculants and grade seven learners, on 1 June. PHOTO: Instagram/ Paul Roos Gymnasium
Similarly, Paul Roos Gymnasium had also not received sanitising supplies from the department, according to André van Staden, rector of Paul Roos Gymnasium.
“In the interim, the school has procured the [necessary] screening, hygiene and sanitation material,” said Van Staden.
According to Van Staden, Paul Roos Gymnasium formed a Covid-19 health and safety committee, to “devise and activate a preparedness and response plan”.
“The health and safety of our learners, staff and their families are of utmost importance to us,” Van Staden said.
‘Complex ecologies’
Social distancing is impossible in most schools, whether or not all grades are back at the same time, Jonathan Jansen, a professor of education at Stellenbosch University, told MatieMedia.
“We need the curve to come down consistently,” said Jansen. “[S]chools are complex ecologies, in which management, staff, workers and children live in close proximity for six to eight hours every day.”
Even under pre-pandemic conditions, a number of schools did not have running water or decent toilets, said Jansen.
“There is no way that the range of precautionary measures will be in place for most of our schools. That is a fact,” he said.
Jansen had previously suggested that the school year should be scrapped. He again reiterated this view.
According to Jansen, the academic year should be completed by passing all grades on an existing policy called automatic promotion. For matrics, he advised postponing the matric exams to early next year, and enrolling students into tertiary education, on grounds of their provisional acceptance, where a bridging curriculum can be implemented.
“Ask yourself, do you want a healthy child who catches up with learning later, or a sick or infected child who can infect others who are more vulnerable?” he told MatieMedia.
Jonathan Jansen, professor of education at Stellenbosch University, believes schools are not ready to reopen yet. PHOTO: Facebook/ Jonathan Jansen
“We’re not expecting adults to go to work, but we are willing to sacrifice our children,” said Niklaas Willemse, a concerned parent and member of the Stellenbosch community.
According to Willemse, children will forget the safety procedures when they are with their friends.
“They will play with each other’s masks and eat from each other’s lunch boxes,” Willemse said.