CoronavirusNC: 48 schools temporarily closed

Central SA

─── OLEBOGENG MOTSE 06:40 Tue, 14 Jul 2020

Since June, teaching and learning across 48 schools in the Northern Cape has been interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the recent figures released by the Northern Cape Education Department, 34 of those schools are as of now, still closed, whilst the remaining 14 have since been reopened for academic activities to resume.

In addition to the high number of schools that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, provincial department spokesperson, Geoffrey Van der Merwe, announces that three district departments have also been forced to temporarily close down for decontamination and cleaning

He says “the Pixley Ka Seme, John Taolo Gaetsewe and ZF Mgcawu district offices have been closed with immediate effect”. They will remain closed until they are disinfected and it’s deemed safe for district officials to return to the offices to resume work. “We are monitoring the situation very closely, and ensuring that all systems are in place at our schools and offices. Although 48 schools have been affected thus far, we must indicate that it is not a breakout of COVID-19 infections, but rather individual cases that were reported” cautions Van Der Merwe.

A significant number of the schools listed, are found in the Pixley ka Seme District which was the epicentre of the virus in the province in recent weeks. When most grade 7 and 12 learners returned to school at the beginning of June, the Northern Cape Health and Education Departments decided to keep schools in the district closed due to the increasing number of cases at the time. This continued closure of schools in this district affected some 1200 learners and 282 teachers.

The Northern Cape now has 1080 active COVID-19 cases, and 11 confirmed deaths.

The 48 schools that have been temporarily closed, with a few reopening are:

1. Carnavon Primary School (re-opened)

2. Enoch Mthetho High School (re-opened)

3. Ikhwezi Lokusa Primary School (re-opened)

4. Phillipstown High School (re-opened)

5. Zingisani Primary School (re-opened)

6. Beacon Primary School (re-opened)

7. Veritas High School (re-opened)

8. Duineveld High School (re-opened)

9. Delta Primary School (re-opened)

10. JJ Booysen Primary School