Schools have reopened for the third, indicating that school learners and staff members are halfway into the year. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has pointed out a few things, as learners head back to the classroom.
The second quarter of the school year came to an end on 24 June 2023 for the approximately three weeks worth of winter school holidays.
Today, learners head back to the classroom as the third quarter of school open. In a statement, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga said:
Let’s all play our part and give our children the best possible opportunity to learn and be successful.
Before schools closed for the winter holidays, the Health Department announced that three Covid-19 regulations would be repealed, with one of them being mask-wearing.
Motshekga reiterated that the wearing of masks in schools continues not to be mandatory but is recommended.
Learners, teachers, and staff members that wish to continue to wear facial masks may do so freely.
It is said that the wearing of masks is recommended, as masks lower the risks of Covid-19 infections, especially in crowded or enclosed spaces.
Parents and caregivers have been asked to remind children to accept the main reason for being in school, which is to learn and develop academically, socially, and culturally.
Learners have also been urged to not disrupt the learning process by avoiding anti-social behaviour (theft, vandalism, assault, sexual harassment, alcohol, and drug abuse), respecting fellow learners and teachers, and also to adhere to school rules.