MEC William Bulwane tells OFM News he is confident it is all systems go at the three schools he visited this morning. Bulwane’s visit to the Mofulatshepe Primary School in Smithfield, the JJ Khubeka Primary School in Deneysville and the Nelson Mandela Primary School in Sasolburg have all been provided with sanitisers, screening equipment and other Covid-19 protective gear. He assures members of the public that these three schools, amongst many others in the province, will be ready to welcome learners come June 8.

Following concerns over a lack of water supply and inadequate sanitation at a number of schools in the province, Bulwane tells OFM News provision for water supply and decent sanitation has been made at all the schools he visited and he gives them the green light. He added that parents can release their children to go to schools and that schools are ready.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on Monday announced that schools will be ready for teaching and learning in a week’s time after the department had to postpone the reopening of schools at the 11th hour. Grade 12 and 7 learners were due to resume schooling on 1 June when the country entered level 3 lockdown.

During Monday’s media briefing, Motshekga said there were still a number of concerns regarding the safety of pupils as reports presented by Rand Water and a consortium facilitated by the National Education Collaboration Trust, amongst others, indicated that a substantial number of schools were not ready to open on 1 June.

Whilst Motshekga confirmed that this week will be used for induction, orientation and final preparations, she also confirmed that the country has lost an entire school-term and cannot afford to lose more days.

Bulwane’s visit to the three schools came just a day after MEC for Treasury, Gadija Brown, also embarked on schools’ inspection in the areas of Luckhoff and Koffiefontein.

Bulwane says they will be assessing more schools and remains certain the province will be ready by Monday.

Meanwhile, Education MEC Tate Makgoe is set to officially brief the media on the state of the province’s schools on June 9.

OFM News