This, as thousands of grade 12 and 7 learners have officially returned to schools. The Equal Education Movement and Section 27 human rights advocacy group says there must be consistent provision of food for those returning to schools as over nine million children were reliant on it before the lockdown. As the department prepares for the gradual phasing in of pupils, the groups have reiterated the importance of bringing back school feeding schemes to reduce widespread hunger in the country. They have threatened a court action against the department should it fail to provide all eligible learners with food.

Meanwhile, the Free State Department of Education MEC Tate Makgoe has announced that the province has already started rolling out the National School Nutrition Programme to schools in the province.

Addressing the media just a day after schools reopened at the Tsoseletso High School in Bloemfontein, Makgoe said the province is ready to roll out the programme as more and more learners will be returning to schools.

"We are ready and are working through the SGBs. Funds have been transferred to over 1 000 schools. Staff has been trained and

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been provided".

Makgoe highlighted that extra safety precautions needed to be taken to ensure that hygienic standards are met for food preparation have been taken into account and is certain schools will follow all safety measures.

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