Question NW978 to the Minister of Basic Education
10 June 2020 - NW978
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Given the state of the overcrowding in classrooms and the current lack of sufficient budgets, how will her department ensure that social distancing protocols are adhered to in schools during the (a) phasing in and (b) full opening of all schools?
Reply:
·Provide mobile classrooms
(a) (b)The Department of Basic Education developed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Containment and Management of COVID-19, for childcare facilities, schools and school communities, to guide provinces in responding to COVID-19. These include, measures to enforce social distancing for learners; as well as compliance with good hygiene practices to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus amongst learners. In order to address social distancing protocols during the phasing-in and full opening of schools, provinces are providing mobile classrooms for additional spaces, as well as identifying additional spaces like school halls to address any additional needs for space. In addition, a vriety of options for timetabling are being considered.