This follows the release of a progress report on the implementation of necessary measures and the assessment of schools' readiness across the country - including the Free State, North West and Northern Cape. 

The Director-General for Basic Education, Mathanzima Mweli, on Sunday addressed the nation and confirmed that during the department's assessment these provinces assured the department that measures were in place to stem the spread of Covid-19 in schools. 

He says a total of 1 570 schools across the North West, 1 123 in the Free State and 556 in the Northern Cape were ready for the first phase of returning Grade 12 and 7 pupils. 

Mweli, however, announced that there were some critical issues that still needed to be attended to in these schools - including incomplete orientation, repairs of vandalised schools and the installing of water tankers.  

On Tuesday, FS premier Sisi Ntombela will address the media on the implementation of measures set to curb the spread of Covid-19 across schools in the province.

Ntombela's address is also expected to focus on the nine critical areas of education that were considered before the resumption of face-to-face learning and teaching. These include staffing and curriculum, basic sanitising, and hygiene among others.  

OFM News