Learners returning to the classroom full-time is still meeting with mixed emotions, particularly from parents.
Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DBE), says the department is considering returning all primary school learners o class full-time. He said the learning losses suffered are worse than reported, and research indicates the recovery will take up to 10 years because of Covid-19.
“It is important to note that the rotational approach does not work because primary school learners forget everything they learn, which means there is no progress being made in schools. Small children cannot handle online learning even where this has been tried.”
Mhlanga adds parents must be made aware that their children are losing out on structured, effective, consistent learning. “Parents must check their children’s reports to see whether or not they are struggling at school,” he said. “Remember that all learners, except Grade 12, did not finish their syllabus last year, and may well not finish this year or next year.” Mhlanga adds that evidence indicates parents also do not support their children with schoolwork on those days when their children are not at school due to the rotation system.
He says when it comes to health and safety issues, experience has taught that adherence to the measures saves lives.
