There are mixed emotions about the proposal of learners returning to the classroom full-time.
Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DBE), says the department is considering returning all learners at primary school to class full-time.
He said the learning losses suffered are worse than reported, and research indicates that 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.”
Back in January 2021, Felicia Adams a parent to a Grade 6 learner told Weslander she felt the return of learners to school was a 50/50 situation.
With the consideration of primary school learners returning on a full-time basis and forgetting everything they have learnt, Adams says she does not agree. “If the teacher does their job properly a child cannot forget. In my case, the teacher sends the work my child did for the day home and asks parents to revise with their children.”
Adams says if children also do revision on their off-days the problem may not be a big one.
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 also 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. “Wear a mask correctly, sanitise and keep social distancing,” Mhlanga said.
