PRETORIA: South Africa’s public schools are all set for a return to full-time attendance from Monday (7 February) following the latest meeting by the Department of Basic Education (DoBE).

According to the Council of Education Ministers CEM, primary, secondary and special schools should return to daily attendance and the regulatory provision for social distancing of one metre for learners in schools would no longer be mandatory.

In a statement, the DoBE welcomed the decision by Cabinet to allow schools to return to full-time learning in all schools.

Multiple meetings have been scheduled with stakeholders for the rest of the week to lay out plans for full-time learning.

“The Minister will gazette new directions in the coming days to reflect the cabinet decision and to also provide guidance ahead of the resumption of traditional time-tabling,” the department said.

The CEM is set to meet again on Friday where final announcements will be made.

Darul Ihsan Media Desk