The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has clarified the reason why schools will be closed on Monday, 20 January 2023. This comes after it was suggested that the provincial education department was responding to an ultimatum from a political party expected to engage in a National Shutdown on the same day.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will embark on a National Shutdown on Monday, 20 March 2023. The party warned that nothing will be operating on the day, as they are calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.
In a social media post, an alleged EFF supporter dressed in the party’s regalia warned children against attending school on the day of the planned shutdown.
The WCED explained that Monday, 20 March 2023 is already a school holiday and schools are not being closed in response to the National Shutdown. Learners also won't be in class on Tuesday, 21 March as the country observes Human Rights Day.
Education MEC David Maynier explained that the school calendar is gazetted by the Minister of Basic Education a full year in advance. The 2023 school calendar published more than a year ago indicates that the school will be closed on Monday.
Mynier said it is unclear why threats regarding the closure of schools were made as it is already a planned school holiday.
I hope this allays the concerns of the public, and especially our parents, who are worried that the EFF might put the safety of their children at risk.
Learners are expected to return to school on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 as the academic year resumes around South Africa.
