This as the country anxiously awaits Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga’s decision on whether schools will remain open for learning, despite the peak of the coronavirus believed to be on us.

The province’s significantly lower number of positive cases, compared to the rest of the country has not exempt the province from experiencing disturbances to crucial teaching and learning time. At least 69 teachers and 46 learners across 84 schools in total, have tested positive since schools in the province reopened in June.

Teachers unions and citizens on social media have been highly critical of the deafening silence emanating from Motshekga’s office with regards to the way forward for schools. The Basic Education Minister was expected to make an announcement over the weekend, and then again on Monday to no avail.

Northern Cape Education Spokesperson, Geoffrey Van Der Merwe, reiterates that while the closure of schools is setting all involved back on crucial learning time, it remains a necessary evil in the fight against the pandemic.

From a statistical perspective, the attendance rate provincially for educators stands at 77% and 70% for learners.  Van ser Merwe says to date 33 schools have reopened following disinfection and contact tracing. He attributes the success thereof to collaboration between the provincial departments of health and education. He says Motshekga remains in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, on whether schools will remain open or close temporarily, with the announcement coming in due course.

In light of South Africa currently having the fifth highest coronavirus figures in the world, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize recently released a statement urging South Africans to strictly adhere to the regulations that have been enforced by government to curb the outbreak of the virus.

“We are extremely concerned that fatigue seems to have set in and South Africans are letting down their guard at a time when the spread of infection is surging. We see poor or no social distancing in communities. Masks are being abandoned or not worn properly and there is laxity setting in around frequent hand-washing,” says Mkhize. Over 5 000 people have lost their lives to Covid-19 in the country.

The Northern Cape now has 1 366 active cases, and 15 confirmed deaths – the lowest in the country at this stage.

OFM News