Minister Schäfer addresses issues around closing schools
"You are denying learners one of the most fundamental rights in our Constitution, the right to education." So said the Western Cape Minister of Education, Debbie
Schäfer, earlier this week in a press release that addressed the movement by parents and organisations to close schools. "In the past week we have seen the disruption of schooling by community members and civic organisations," she said. "It is clear that there is a lot of mobilisation among various organisations around the fact that schools are open, and in anticipation of more learners returning to school on 6 July. It is particularly interesting that this appears to be happening in the Western Cape more than anywhere else, whilst Gauteng has a higher number of active cases now than we do."
Schäfer said the actions of the very organisations that claim to have the safety of teachers and learners at heart, are putting learners' and teachers' lives at risk. In video evidence provided to them, people can be seen entering schools, and organisations taking out learners in public who are not wearing their masks correctly, nor adhering to physical distancing. "While I completely understand the anxiety and concern of teachers and parents, I also have to ensure that our system functions. We are, like our colleagues in health, providing a public service."
She stressed that the decision that schools should open, was taken at a national level and is supported by all provinces.
It is an unfortunate fact that infections in schools will mirror infections in communities. "At this stage, we do not see evidence of a greater rate of infection at schools than anywhere else. Where schools have reported cases, the majority have only reported one. So there is not evidence of mass spreading at schools. At present in the Western Cape, less than 0,1% of learners in the grades meant to be back in class (Grade 7, 12 and School of Skills year 4) have tested positive. Staff members at schools who have tested positive account for 1,5% of school staff."