A number of Stellenbosch residents have expressed mixed feelings on the government’s decision to close public schools for the next four weeks.
The decision to close schools, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 July, comes after various teacher unions called for schools to close.
School is out, but Stellenbosch residents have mixed feelings over the closures. PHOTO: Unsplash/Maximilian Scheffler
Despite the setback of schools closing, principal Henk Weyers from Eikestad Primary said it is a privilege to be part of a school community who is facing the challenge with unity.
“We are of course disappointed about the closure, but we trust that [Education] minister Motshekga and the Department of Education are always acting in the best interest of all South African learners,” he said. “[Staff have] prepared for the next couple of weeks. Academically our learners will therefore not be adversely affected by working from home.”
However, Weyers also aired his concern over the potential economic impacts of schools being closed.
“The biggest disruption will be to our parent community and the impact on their ability to focus on work and their contribution in stimulating the economy,” he said.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, at Eikestad Primary in Stellenbosch, echoed that the school closure is making returning to work difficult.
“As [a] working mom it’s so much easier to have my kid at school as then I can work at [the] office those days,” she said.
According to Shafiek Jacobs, principal of Pieter Langeveldt Primary School, he had “mixed feelings” about the school closures.
“Staff and learners were starting to adapt to the new norm, it is a pity that schools had to close,” said Jacobs.
Prof Johnathan Jansen of Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Education suggested to MatieMedia that a hybrid curriculum be designed for 2021, where all grades are automatically promoted and two grades are taught in one year. PHOTO: Stellenbosch University website.
A professor of education at Stellenbosch University previously suggested that the school year be cancelled for 2020, but now that schools have returned has expressed his concern over this new break.
“The decision [for schools to take a break for four weeks] makes no academic or organisational sense,” said prof Jonathan Jansen. “The virus infections have not yet peaked and will not in one or four weeks.”