YCLSA STATEMENT ON THE PLANS TO RE-OPEN SCHOOLS
dmdmatooane
Young Communist League of South Africa
Press Statement, 19 May 2020
YCLSA STATEMENT ON THE PLANS TO RE-OPEN SCHOOLS
The Young Communist League of South Africa [UFASIMBA] has noted the plan presented by the Department of Basic Education on the plan to reopen schools for learners in grade 7 and grade 12 with high safety standards. We equally condemn the vandalization of schools by criminals and call on law enforcement agencies to act on such perpetrators.
It is worth noting that the Department of Basic Education previously stated that the only way to rescue the academic calendar is in the classroom. This evening, the Department of Basic Education further stressed that the calendar for grade 12 leaners cannot be trimmed and the exam papers are already available. We once again reiterate the resolution of the Political Commission that we call for grade 12 learners to return to school under strict and the highest safety standards. We equally call on the department to unite stakeholders behind a single-common agenda that is satisfactory to all stakeholders in the basic education sector.
The Department of Basic Education should demonstrate the practical state of readiness and safety of learners, teachers and other role players prior the announced date for the reopening of schools. It is concerning and alarming that the Department has used the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of the 10th of March 2020 as justification, which was before the current nationwide lockdown, yet ignored developments that occurred during the lockdown.
Furthermore, the Department of Basic Education was economical with the usage of the United Nations agency for education, science and culture statement as if it is a magic wand to the resolution for the reopening of schools. The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO) equally cautioned that:
“The decision to reopen schools is complex because the pandemic continues to evolve, and not in linear manner. There is insufficient evidence on risks of transmission. Everywhere, confinement will be lifted gradually, with many question marks on how the process will be managed, to a great extent because there are many characteristics of the virus that we just don’t know. Yet, even with the current uncertainties, governments can anticipate and prepare to reopen schools successfully, putting the necessary safeguards in place”.
The plan of the Department of Basic Education equally lacks a comprehensive ideal plan to mitigate the impact of the inequalities in the education system in township and rural schools. The gap between the rich and the poor during the pandemic, has determined the level and access of medical services, with private hospitals and labs catering for the rich. Equally, the infrastructure in rural schools as compared to urban schools, disadvantages and compromises the safety of learners. This is in line with the inherited domestic capitalist economy which has centralized economic activism in urban centres. This means that inequalities within the context of rapid urbanization should equally be considered because learners travel to school and that can equally compromise their safety. Learner private transport is equally not regulated.
Additionally, the Department of Basic Education also encourages home schooling which will equally be influenced by inequalities in our society. This is an option for the well-off and not for the learners from working class backgrounds. Moreover, there is no sound plan to manage the transition from schools to home schooling.
The Department of Basic should equally take the nation into confidence that it will take full responsibility of its decisions on whatever situation that might emerge directly linked to the decision of the department after the reopening of schools.
A reputation associated to the department’s officials is the tendency of late executions of plans such as the case of textbooks that we previously witnessed. Therefore, it cannot be automatic that we feel confident on the capacity of the department to execute the intended plan. We should give enough room for the benefit of the doubt, but confidence can only be guaranteed after the assessment of the intended action plan towards and post the reopening of schools.
The Department of Basic Education has to comprehend with a reality that we are dealing with a pandemic and accommodate the emerging post-lockdown reality created by the inequalities of the capitalist system that all government macro-economic policies acknowledge. Therefore, tenderization of feeding schemes should be substituted by cooperatives composed of unemployed parents to cope with the post-lockdown reality.
Issued by the YCLSA
For Inquiries contact:
Dloze Matooane
National Spokesperson
066 570 3902
Whatsapp: 0826920127
Email: dmdma...@gmail.com
Dineo Mokoena
Media and Liaison
073 969 8532