INTENTION TO CANCEL SHORT SCHOOL HOLIDAY WAS A BAD MOVE

THERE is a well-known saying coined by French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr in 1849, a year after the French revolution – “The more things change the more they stay the same”.

Under the apartheid Nationalist Party (NP) from 1948 to 1994, changes were made to the lives of South Africans, with drastic consequences for most people. Since 1994, under the rule of the ANC, we have seen many changes yet why does it feel like most people’s situation is not changing?

Recently, the ruling ANC allowed the Basic Education Department to consider cancelling the October 4 to 8 school holiday.

The reason given was that too much time had been lost because of the lethal virus affecting schools across the world.

I, as a logical-thinking South African faced with a deadly virus, asked myself: How does one go about changing a decision to have a short holiday to cancelling the holiday? Surely those in charge should have thought logically about the decision? If I were part of the decision, I would have considered:

* Why we have school holidays. As a learner, one needs the break to energise oneself and, as a teacher, one needs a break to inspire oneself.

* Many learners, parents and teachers use the opportunity to enrich themselves bodily and intellectually. Rural learners at boarding schools get to spend time with their families. Parents at many schools take time off from work to be with their children.

* Many schools have planned trips for learners and teachers and consider this an important part of learner and teacher development.

* Most high schools use the important break to have additional lessons in key subjects at their schools, such as the official languages, maths, physical sciences and life sciences for their matric learners. What are schools to do when the department has made a big blunder in considering cancelling the week holiday in early October?

Do they succumb to the diktats of the department and force learners and teachers to be at school?

Will the department threaten the schools with charges of insubordination if they do not go to school during the break?

Most schools face a shortage of teachers. Some teachers and learners are down with Covid-19, and there are inferior school buildings and lack of sporting facilities.

The easiest solution is for the department to come to its senses.

Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. I have mentioned it before. The great intellectual and activist Neville Alexander said: “If you are confronted with a concrete wall in front of you the easiest thing to do is to reverse.”

Once, in 1985, principals were instructed by the House of Representatives (Remember the Tricameral Parliament?) to attend a meeting at the Groote Kerk in Cape Town to discuss the school boycotts.

There, we were instructed by the minister of education, Carter Ebrahim, to force the learners to return to school. After the meeting, I asked the experienced legendary principal of Harold Cressy High why he had been quiet during the meeting. Mr Ritchie said: “Sir, I know exactly what I am going to do when I get back to school.”

Fortunately, according to department, schools will have the school holiday in early October. Bravo, Basic Education Department!

You have passed your driving licence test. You reversed.