The minister of Education, Ms Angie Motshekga, announced that grade seven and 12 learners will return to school as from 01 June 2020. This announcement was done with the undertaking that the schools will be sanitized to be free of the COVID 19 and that Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) will be provided to both learners and teachers.
Ms Tiny Makgwathana, a grade 11 learner at Reitumetse high school in Soshanguve block L said going back to school should wait until there is a cure for the virus.
“School children do not listen and will infect each other with the virus should it travel to the schools. We understand the importance of opening the economy, but as the President said, lives should come first,” said Ms Makgwathana.
, also a resident of Soshanguve, said he is not certain about the compliance that will be expected from grade seven learners.
“I am against children going back to school, how can the government take children back to school when citizens, in general, do not comply with the COVID-19 protocols.
“Schools are not ready to receive learners, government schools had issues with lack of classes and equipment even before the pandemic. Grade seven learners are not yet that mature to be complying with the regulations and will share utensils when not checked,” said Mr Mashilo.
Mr Samuel Ngwasheng of Soshanguve Extension 4, said he is concerned with teenage pregnancy becoming rampant.
“As a parent, I am against this initiative, because once they go back there will be a high number of pregnancies. Some will pretend that they are going to school and not get there. They are still young and I believe we are going to see a disaster once the children start attending school. This is like testing poison with our tongue,” said Mr Ngwasheng.
