South Africa’s education department is considering all options in its bid to make up for lost time suffered by learners over the past year.

Over the past week, Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, highlighted the biggest problems in the current set-up as being space and social distancing at schools.

Her department is looking into how some of the social distancing rules can be changed and more clarity is expected when the President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation again in the next two weeks.

As things currently stand, teachers and learners must be at least one metre apart at schools in line with health and safety protocols. When schools initially opened, learners had to observe a 1.5 metres spacing in classrooms.

Motshekga conceded that they were slightly surprised by the schools that have not managed to comply with the rules. Initially it was expected that rural schools would face the most difficulties in returning, but it has turned out that the country’s more urban areas and overpopulated schools have faced greater spacing problems.

She added that there were several changes currently being looked into by the department. These were revised social distancing requirements, mobile classrooms to boost capacity, alternative teaching places that allow for more spacing, hiring more teacher assistants and calendar changes.

It has also been confirmed that the October school holidays from the 1-11 will remain in place.

Darul Ihsan Media Desk