Grade 6, 11 and some grade R pupils are returning to class on Monday.  

"I feel quite anxious, one of my grandchildren is in a boarding school but I have to accept that he has to go to school. I have lots of family members and lots of grandchildren and some had already gone last week," she said.

Motshekga also urged parents who want to home school their children to apply through their provincial education department.

"We understand that it is an emotionally taxing period, it is very stressful and parents are anxious about their children but if you do indeed feel anxious there is no pressure to send your child to school.

"There are opportunities, which most parents have been using, to home educate their children."

Parents can apply for permission to homeschool their children on the department's website.

eNCA