The Gugulethu Development Forum (GDF) is calling for the scrapping of rotational learning at all local primary schools, in line with Minister Angie Motshekga’s announcement.
She recently announced some learners at primary school level have been able to return to school on a full-time basis. However, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has decided to continue with the rotational plan.
With schools in the province opening yesterday (19 January), provincial minister of Education Debbie Schäfer announced earlier in the week her department is ready and expecting to welcome more than a million learners across school in the province.
“More than 1,1 million learners will head back to class, or be attending school for the first time, this week,” she said.
“Unfortunately, most learners will continue to attend school on a rotational basis, costing our learners further precious time in class, despite recommendations from experts that schools return to full attendance.”
She said she will continue to engage with the national government regarding a return to daily attendance for all learners as soon as possible.
Schäfer said the WCED has made great progress in placing learners that applied for the 2022 school year in 2021.
“Despite more than 32 000 late applications the latest figures indicate we have 451 Grade 1 and 2 450 Grade 8 learners that have still to be placed. The districts are working hard to ensure their placement as soon as possible.
“I appeal to parents to keep their phones handy so as not to miss a call from our officials. Parents who have not yet applied, are doing so very late. They must please contact or visit the WCED district offices in the area in which they reside so that they can be added to the placement list.”
She said the department is in a much better position than the previous year and will continue to work hard to place all learners as soon as possible despite new applications coming in daily.
“I wish our school staff members all the best as they make their final preparations for the arrival of learners on Wednesday,” she concluded.
However, GDF secretary Vincent Domingo said many parents cannot cope with the school work.
“Many parents are working and they come late exhausted,” he said. “They don’t have ample time to assist their children with their school work. Only high school learners can be allowed to attend school on a rotational basis because they can manage to work on their own.”
Domingo stated it’s high time for the provincial government to comply with the national government.
He stated that they endorse the notion that says schools should not force learners to vaccinate without their parents’ concern.