15 Apr 2021

When COVID-19 hit, the entire world was thrown into panic mode.

A lot had to change and this gave birth to the now common phrase, the new normal.

No institution continued with the norm and students were to enter a phase foreign to them, but not new to the education sector. That of shifts.

For the yesteryear student, this is something they went through, but under different circumstances being shortage of classrooms or teachers.

This time around, COVID-19 dictated that such be the case.

In Serowe, Makolojwane Primary School head, Ms Baraedi Bagwasi confirmed the school to be among those that introduced shifts and pupils were slowly adapting to the changes.

There is the morning session (7:30am to 11:30am) and the afternoon session (11:30am to 16:00pm).

When shifting started, Ms Bagwasi said pupils were confused and got the shifts mixed up.

Some did not turn up for school and had to be fetched from home with some cases referred to social workers.

Ms Bagwasi stated that about three Standard Seven pupils had been missing from school and were understood to be in Radisele.

Some parents, she said, did not take interest in what was happening and those that did, communicated with teachers about their children’s attendance and school work.

Ms Bagwasi said there were sometimes challenges such as shortage of water or food, which forced classes to dismiss early.

She appreciated assistance from the school Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which at times contributed to make ends meet.

Another challenge, she said, was shortage of masks and sanitizers, but stated that Metsimasweu Junior Secondary School assisted.

“Shortage of SHE officers is another problem faced by the school as the workers contracts had ended. I would, however, like to give thanks to teachers and non-teaching staff for helping out during this hectic times,” she said.

Another school that has introduced shifts is Manonnye primary.

The school head, Ms Kamogelo Tlhwafalo explained that Standard Two to Six classes were the ones shifting while one and seven did not. Beginners’ classes do shift because they are still getting used to school and shifting might confuse them, while the Standard Sevens are trying to maximise on the time they have before sitting for final exams.

Ms Tlhwafalo said they had a teacher-parent WhatsApp group which allowed them to share pupils’ materials and other important information since gatherings were not allowed.

With 661 learners, Ms Tlhwafalo said classes were not enough to accommodate since overcrowding was prohibited due to COVID-19, but said they had enough resources such as water, masks, sanitizers and cleaning materials, which were donated by Manonnye class of 1994, and some by the school PTA committee, but not enough SHE officers.

At Motetshwane Primary School, where there is a special education unit, the head teacher, Mr Ontiretse Kenaope indicated that pupils with disabilities adhered to COVID-19 protocols despite shortage of sanitizers and soap.

Mr Kenaope said the school had 34 pupils with disabilities being 18 boys and 16 girls while 14 were sent back home after realising that they were not coping with

COVID-19 protocols due to their disabilities. He said they relied on the business community who donated various necessities, noting that the council used to assist them before the COVID-19 pandemic, but now budgetary constraints are a challenge.

Unlike other pupils, Mr Kenaope said special unit learners did not shift due a shortage of caretakers.

He wished the school had boarding facilities to accommodate learners with special needs since most were from disadvantaged families.

Deputy school head, Ms Gertrude Kgosidialwa, who is also head of special unit classes, stated that they had long requested for boarding facilities as was the case in similar schools in Palapye, Maunatlala and Rakops.

She appealed to parents to work with teachers to take care of learners. Ends