JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Basic Education Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule announced that the 2021 academic year, will be delayed by two weeks.
The school year was expected to start on 27 January.
Learning in all schools will resume on 15 February 2021.
Parents of children in fee-paying schools will be expected to pay school fees for January.
For public schools and private schools which follow the same calendar, changes are as follows:
- School Management Teams (SMTs) shall report for duty on Monday, 25 January 2021.
- Teachers shall follow on Monday, 01 February 2021.
- Learners return on Monday, 15 February 2021.
Our primary responsibility is to save the lives of teachers and learners. The current #Covid19 variant is very deadly and affects young and old. We will be guided by @HealthZA on all health protocols that need to be followed @DBE_SA @ElijahMhlanga @GovernmentZA #schoolsreopening pic.twitter.com/TUnYaRvNg3
— Dr Reginah Mhaule (@ReginahMhaule) January 15, 2021
The @DBE_SA will work closely with all nine Provincial Education Departments, to establish the true extent of the impact of the virus, resulting from the unfortunate demise of educators, workers and leaders in the sector, especially during the Dec/Jan holidays #schoolsreopening
— Dr Reginah Mhaule (@ReginahMhaule) January 15, 2021
The full media statement on Cabinet's decision to delay the opening of schools for 2021 to 15 February for learners #schoolsreopening @DBE_SA @ElijahMhlanga @GovernmentZA @SAgovnews @GCISMedia pic.twitter.com/85vbPCuMFZ
— Dr Reginah Mhaule (@ReginahMhaule) January 15, 2021
Opinion is divided on whether schools should reopen on 27January.
