After the reopening of schools was delayed due to concerns about the health and safety of school staff and the learners as South Africa battles the second wave of the Covid-19, a new school calendar was published.
Principals, School Management Teams (SMTs) including Education Assistants and General Assistants and non-teaching staff are the first group to return to schools today, 25 January.
The Department of Basic Education put measures in place so that Educators and Education personnel could return to schools safely, by making use of a staggered approach.
This was released in the Department Circular 01 of 2021 and this circular made provision for school staff who may have comorbidities.
All educators are expected to return to schools on Monday, February 1st, while learners are to return on 15 February.
The department said that educators who fail to return to schools on the dates set out in the circular without a valid reason will be subjected to disciplinary hearing action.
The department has appealed to all the school staff to ensure that they continue to adhere to all the health and safety regulations put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
"The Department would like to advise the teaching and non-teaching staff not to engage in unprotected action which will lead to undesirable consequences."
Basic Education Media Statement:
School management teams and support staff expected back in school on Monday, 25 January pic.twitter.com/VpgsCVV3UM
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 24, 2021
