Ntombela and the MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, are set to divulge more information on the province’s plans to re-open schools, as well as the phasing-in of learners.

Education spokesperson in the province, Howard Ndaba, says Ntombela's address is set to focus on the most critical nine areas of education that were considered before the resumption of face-to-face learning and teaching.

Ndaba says these areas include staffing and curriculum, basic sanitizing and hygiene among others.

So far the province has about 187 active cases after 152 recoveries, and 9 deaths recorded from 348 reported cases.

“They will be joined by the MEC for Health, Montseng Tsiu, and MEC for Social Development, Mamiki Qabathe, who will also provide updates on their areas of work aligned to Education," Ndaba further adds.

Grade 12 and 7 school pupils are expected to head back to school on Monday for the first time since schools were forced to shut down in March due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The reopening of schools follows the recent announcement made by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, that schools will be ready to resume under strict conditions, due to Covid-19.

The plan to open schools has been met with criticism from different organisations across the country – including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - who labelled the plan as reckless.

On Friday the party said that South African schools were still not ready to reopen on Monday due to a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and inadequate hygiene facilities.

The EFF said its public representatives had conducted oversight visits at schools throughout the country, and the overall consensus was that reopening would be "reckless" and risk the lives of teachers and learners.

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