GEORGE NEWS - About 80% of schools in the Western Cape opened on Monday 1 June for Grade 7 and 12 learners, while a few decided they would not compromise the safety of their learners, and others stayed closed due to the delay of Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga's address.
In George, the school governing bodies (SGB) of New Dawn Park Primary, Conville Primary and George High School decided not to open.
York High stayed closed for learners because of the delay of the Minister's address. Pacaltsdorp Primary stayed closed for learners on Monday after a request for clarity from the principal to his circuit manager.
Schools that indicated they were ready to open were George South Primary, Outeniqua Primary, HTS Eden and Outeniqua High School. Skills schools, like Olympia and Van Kervel, only opened on Wednesday.
Gerhard Haupt of Olympia School of Skills said they only got the go-ahead from their circuit manager late on Friday and needed a few extra days to put everything in place.
Nicky Josephs, chairperson of Conville Primary SGB, said they decided not to welcome learners in on Monday because their preparations needed to be finalised, including acquiring extra overalls for the two cleaning staff members, as well as extra spray bottles.
"We met with the staff to explain this and made the arrangements to buy the extra materials."
A teacher of Pacaltsdorp High taking Anne-marie Damons' temperature during the screening of learners in the school hall. Photo: Lizette da Silva
New Dawn Park Primary principal, Ruth Miller, said they had a meeting with their SGB and parents on Sunday, where it was decided not to open the school on Monday. Some teachers who are union members also indicated they were staying home in solidarity with the decisions the unions made.
"It is sad that not all schools stood in solidarity with the rest of us. The lives of the children and teachers are most important, and cannot be taken for granted," she said.
Morton van Rooyen, principal at George High School, said a few learners showed up on Monday. "Our SGB told the parents to keep the children at home till we know the outcome of the Minister's address. The school is ready with last things to add." They were going to accept learners on Tuesday.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, was in George to assess the readiness of schools on Thursday and Friday. He told George Herald that he was impressed by these schools and their preparations for receiving back learners. Schools he visited were George High, Conville Primary, York High, Holy Cross Primary, Tyholorha Primary and Imizamo Yethu High.
Delville Park Primary was also open to their Grade 7 learners. Robert Grootboom, the principal, said they were ready to work. Some of his learners do not have the technology or money for data to stay on top on academic work, so they have a lot of catching up to do.
"The opening of schools was gazetted, so we opened on Monday as per the new law."
Pacaltsdorp High School principal Clifton Titus said they welcomed about 80% of their Grade 12 learners and were hoping that more learners would come. They were going to use the first few days just to adjust the learners to the new rules and protocols.
Delville Park Primary was open to welcome back their Grade 7 learners, with on average 20 learners per class. On the photo is teacher Chris Jeneker with his class.
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