SCHOOLS REOPEN, ROTATION CONTINUES

MBABANE – After missing out on about 40 days of learning, pupils will be pleased to learn that it’s back to class next week Monday.

This follows an announcement made by the Prime Minister, Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, during a press conference held at the Cabinet Offices yesterday. He said government had moved the country to an adjusted Level 3 of the COVID-19 intervention. “I am, therefore, pleased to announce that government has taken a conscious decision to open schools under the adjusted Level 3 on  August 9, 2021,” said Dlamini. The schools had been closed since June 29, 2021, after the then Acting PM, Themba Masuku, announced that the third wave of COVID-19 had hit the country. “Though schools eventually opened early this year, they only gained about 60 days of face-to-face teaching and learning time as they had to be closed again,” said Dlamini.

Protocols

He said even during the open days, learners were unable to attend on all days of the week due to the rotational and blended schedules designed to ensure they (pupils) adhered to COVID-19 health protocols such as social distancing. The PM said government fully recognised the importance of prioritising education even during emergencies as educational institutions remained a critical sector towards socio-economic development. “Government also understands that schools are not only a place for academic learning, but also for social and mental cohesion, social interaction and social support,” he said. Dlamini said for pre-school children, school readiness was critical and had potentially lasting effects. He said the schools’ closure had not only disrupted children’s learning and development, but also access to school meals, psychological support and speedy referral to basic health and social services. Dlamini submitted that the schools reopening would be preceded by the roll-out of a vaccination exercise for all teachers and education workers from yesterday to the end of the week.

Vaccination

He said a total of 42 centres had been identified for the vaccination exercise and teachers were encouraged to visit their nearest site. Meanwhile, the Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, added that the schools opening would continue to be on rotational and blended schedules to ensure that the pupils and teachers continued to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. This, in essence, means that not all pupils will be in attendance at one go. Asked if the schools were ready to conduct learning, the minister responded to the affirmative, stating that she had engaged with head teachers. She highlighted though that the ministry would be conducting inspections in the schools with the assistance of the regional education officers (REOs) and inspectors.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: