The only challenge the department is facing is when the Grade 5 learners return next week.
IT WAS smooth sailing when thousands of learners went back to the school on Monday.
According to the Northern Cape Department of Education, no major challenges were reported at schools in the Province which reopened for Grades R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 after a four-week holiday to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Grade 5 and 8s will return to school next Monday on August 31, 2020.
The Northern Cape Provincial Command Council (PCC), led by Premier Zamani Saul, visited schools across the Province to monitor and assess their state of readiness.
The MEC of Public Works, Fufe Makatong, accompanied the Department of Education to Bersig in the Namaqua district where she visited two schools, while Saul visited schools in Noupoort in Pixley Ka Seme and the MEC of Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, was in Nababeep in the Namaqua district.
The spokesperson of the provincial Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe, said attendance at the schools visited by Makatong was satisfactory.
“Education department officials, together with MEC Makatong, visited SA van Wyk High School and Dr Izak van Niekerk Primary School in Bergsig in Springbok to assess the attendance and readiness of these schools.
“No challenges were reported at either of the schools. About 90% of learners at SA van Wyk High School reported for learning and 95% of learners at Dr Izak van Niekerk Primary School were present.
“We are very satisfied with the attendance and the measures implemented to ensure the safety of the learners as well as of the educators. The learners maintained their social distancing, wore their masks and sanitised their hands. There were no challenges of water and sanitation reported at both schools,” said Van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe said both schools were currently making use of the alternative weeks module.
He indicated one minor challenge noted by Dr Izak van Niekerk Primary School was that there might be a problem once the Grade 5 learners returned on August 31, 2020.
“There is a high enrolment number at that school. It is one of the most popular schools in the district hence it has a high number of learners. There might be a challenge with the number of Grade 5 learners who will be returning. The aim of the visit was also for the department to put contingency plans in place to address the challenges that might occur,” he said.
He said Makatong also commended the learners for not only adhering to the Covid-19 regulations but also for making their future a priority.
“MEC Makatong encouraged the learners to maintain their social distance, wear their masks and to sanitise their hands regularly. She also advised them to remain committed to their schoolwork. Makatong also commended parents who pushed their fear about the pandemic aside and prioritised the education of their children. She urged parents to support their children at home and at school in order to ensure that they achieve their goals in life,” said Van der Merwe.
