Learning continues under lockdown level 3 as the South African school year resumes, again. These department of basic education directives tell you what to expect for the rest of the school year.
Resource details:
Publication title: Re-opening of schools under Alert Level 3: Amendment
Author(s): The department of basic education
Publication date: 2 August 2020
What the directives are about:
These directives update South Africa’s school year following the break announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 July 2020. The regulations outline the staggered return of students and staff to South Africa’s public schools. The directives amend and update previous regulations on basic education.
Key take-aways from the directives:
Nutrition programmes:
- All South African public schools will break from 27 July 2020.
- But during this period the school nutrition programmes will remain open for qualifying learners.
- The department of basic education must ensure that school nutrition programmes remain accessible to qualifying learners.
Phased-in return to school:
- Matric learners and year 4 schools of skills learners are expected to return to schools on August 3 along with teachers and supporting staff for these grades.
- Grade 7 learners and teachers will go back to school on August 11.
- From August 17 all school officials are expected to return to schools in preparation for learners in the remaining grades returning to school.
- Scheduled to return on August 24 are learners in grades R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 11. Schools of skills learners in years 1 to 3 will return to classes on this day too.
- The remaining learners, in grades 5 and 8, are scheduled to return to school on August 31.
- This phased-in return applies to all public schools. Only schools which have applied and been granted permission can deviate from the outlined schedule.
School management and support:
- The school management team must receive a minimum five day break between 27 July and 17 August.
- A rotational leave plan for this period must be co-ordinated by school management and the principal.
- Management staff should be available and on duty to help prepare for returning students.
- The department of basic education must work with schools to ensure that learners still have access to learning material, therapeutic support and continued teaching during the break.
Attending school:
- If parents and caregivers do not want to send a learner back to school, they must make an application to the school. Reasons for exemption include any of the following: the learner’s health, family anxiety related to COVID-19, concern for vulnerable members of the family, or a preference for the learner to receive independent online tuition not provided by the school.
- An application for exemption from compulsory school attendance isn’t required if parents and caregivers decide that the learner should receive online tuition provided by the school.
- If parents and caregivers prefer to home-school the learner they should ensure they comply with the regulations outlined in the South African Schools Act.
Positive cases of COVID-19:
- If a learner tests positive for COVID-19 or has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus and needs to go into self-quarantine or isolation, parents or caregivers must inform the school.
- If a learner has been exposed to COVID-19 at school and tests positive, the school should inform the learner’s parents or caregivers immediately. The school should also advise that the learner see a medical practitioner and be self-isolated or quarantined at home.
You can find and download the directives here.
[Please note: Information on the new coronavirus is rapidly changing. Please refer to the department of basic education website for the latest information. Visit www.sacoronavirus.co.za for updates on South Africa’s coronavirus response.]
