As 1.5 million South Africans prepare to rejoin the economy after the extended lockdown, parents are still awaiting clarity on when students can return to school and university.<\/p>\n
The majority of the country\u2019s schools and universities were closed due to social distancing measures more than a week before the country\u2019s five-week lockdown came into effect in late March.<\/p>\n
While the education department was expected to provide an update on these institutions on Monday (27 April), the meeting was postponed<\/a> <\/strong>until later in the week as government prepares for the new Level 4 restrictions.<\/p>\n However, basic education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said that the decision on a return to learning will be dependent on the daily number of coronavirus cases in South Africa.<\/p>\n “At this stage, we are tracking the infection rate of the coronavirus. We are monitoring the behaviour of the people in relation to the regulations. We said from the start that compliance with regulations would determine the next course of action,” he told TimesLive<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n “The department had never published a date for the re-opening of schools. We are in a situation where we are expected to reconcile clashing views into a position that will serve the interest of everyone.<\/p>\n “For now let’s allow the national coronavirus command council to deliberate on these matters and also lead us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n On Monday evening, health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said that Covid-19 cases in South Africa climbed to 4,793 infections. Mkhize also reported that the number of deaths from the coronavirus now stands at 90, up from the 87 deaths reported on Sunday.<\/p>\n The Department of Basic Education took to social media to gauge the most pressing concerns from both parents and teachers.<\/p>\n With the media briefing postponed, here is a question for when it eventually takes place: pic.twitter.com\/A2npQ8MjOP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) April 27, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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