Question NW1467 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
01 September 2020 - NW1467
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) are the details of the major factors that her department considered when taking the decision to reopen schools during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic (b) conclusive evidence did her department rely on to reach the conclusion that children are less likely to die from the virus and/or transmit it to their parents and grandparents at home, given that the coronavirus is a novel virus and no one comprehensively knows all modes of its transmission?
Reply:
The decision to reopen schools was taken by Cabinet. Cabinet was advised by the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), which was advised by medical experts, led by the Ministerial Advisory Council on Health. The medical professionals provided the advice, which led to the decisions being made with conditions that all health and safety measures are put in place in schools.