30 May 2020

Government plans to simulate reopening of public schools on June 2 through two sets of three different scenarios including partial and full reopening.

The partial reopening means that in some schools almost half of the pupils would be returning to school, envisioning a rotation or shifting of pupils attending in the morning and the other half in the afternoon.

Minister of Basic Education, Mr Fidelis Molao told a media briefing on May 30 that all was set for June 2 for the schools to reopen after a two-month break caused by the outbreak of COVID-19. 

Mr Molao said the first batch of reopening of schools was the completing classes being standard sevens, form threes and fives who are expected at schools next week Tuesday while the rest of the pupils will report on June 16 and pre-primary pupils on August 4.

He said the government had strived to put all the needed structures to facilitate the adherence to the COVID-19 protocols and some schools had completed such developments while others were work in progress.

The minister said those schools that had not yet completed erections of the hand wash basins and all its necessities were expected to improvise so that they open with other schools on Tuesday while awaiting the constructions to be completed.

Minister Molao said all the schools should open on Tuesday even though some were still behind in terms of providing all the necessary facilities for the COVID-19 protocols, but said issues such as provision of soap and water for the pupils should not be a problem.

“We have taken a decision to include geysers in the erection of hand wash basins so that pupils could be provided with warm water as we all know that it is cold and where there is no electricity school authorities are expected to provide warm water from the school kitchens,” he said.

The minister said school periods had been reduced from 40 minutes per subjects to 30 minutes to allow smooth shifting of morning and afternoon classes as schools would be running from 730am to 430pm.

Responding to a question regarding the transportation of students to and from school by private operators, Mr Molao said Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) should liaise with the school management on the drawing of class allocation so that it did not affect the transportation schedules.

He said the calibrations of the thermometers would be done before they were used to safe guard the health of the students, stating that they were aware of rumours of improper functioning of thermometers used in various institutions.

Mr Molao said the teaching staff had been instructed to keep social distancing between children and even a clear space between the teacher and the pupils.

Meanwhile, some schools in the Kweneng and South East regions that BOPA visited on Friday displayed a high level of preparedness and while others were still at finishing touches. 

One such school, which is well prepared is Gabane Junior Secondary School, where all looked set for reopening; the hand wash basins with hot water by the gate were ready for use.

The school also had erected another hand wash basin between classroom blocks for use by the pupils while inside the school sanitizer dispensers were also mounted by the door ways of all the classrooms.

The sitting arrangement were also clearly marked and desks were placed according to the desired COVID-19 protocols with permanent marks.

Another observation was the marked floor at the school feeding hall, which were also visible to guide the pupils where to stand while queuing for food.

Other schools such as Thobega JSS in Mmankgodi and Baitlotli in Ramotswa were still a bit behind, but contractors assured BOPA that they would be done by June 2 when children would be resuming classes. ENDS