Thread by @equal_education

[Statement] EE cautiously supports the decision to temporarily close public schools, as the @DBE_SA & PEDs work to address legitimate & serious concerns raised by teachers & learners about some schools being unsafe & inadequately supported to re-open

👉🏿: bit.ly/39qUz6p

We welcome the confirmation from @PresidencyZA #Ramaphosa, that the National School Nutrition Programme will continue to provide food to learners while at home over the next 4 weeks, to lessen the detrimental impact of school closures on learners.

The initial phasing back of only grades 7 & 12 learners will relieve of the pressure on schools, brought about by the return of more grades earlier this month. As a movement of learners, we are still very concerned about the impact of extended school closures on children.

We urge the education departments to respond with absolute urgency & to not squander this opportunity to put crucial safety measures & support structures in place at all schools.

The @DBE_SA has failed to implement a risk-adjusted strategy responsive to conditions in schools & communities to help inform the re-opening of schools. The DBE’s Standard Operating Procedures have not provided sufficient guidance on the complexities of managing #COVID19.

The phased re-opening of schools since 8 June has been an uphill battle, with many schools facing non-delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE), a lack of access to water, inadequate & undignified toilets & difficulty in maintaining physical distancing in classrooms.

By 25 June, some schools had still not reopened, with access to water cited as a major challenge & in some provinces phasing in of further grades was held back. Over the last 2 weeks, teachers’ unions have called for schools to close to get past the #COVID19 peak & winter.

In a recent statement, 5 teachers’ unions noted that many schools lacked the necessary resources to keep learners and teachers safe, and that the DBE’s Covid-19 management guidelines did not provide adequate guidance.

Teachers’ concerns must not be dismissed & they ought not be vilified for being fearful of returning to schools poorly resourced, supported & ill-prepared.

We understand the fears & anxieties confronting teachers as they attempt to navigate the school environment, while also supporting learners & having to facilitate learning. The mental and emotional toll is significant.

At the same time, we must be cognisant that school closures are detrimental for many learners. In the same way that opening schools requires plans to be in place, closing schools must also happen with the necessary planning to protect learners & their right to basic education.

Priorities while schools are closed should include:
* Access to meals
* Supporting learners at home and curriculum recovery
* School infrastructure & PPE
* Risk-adjusted approach to opening & closing schools
* Psychosocial Support
* Clear protocols