South Africa: six million pupils expected in schools during second phase-in

Schools are set to accept around six million pupils on 6 July as a part of South Africa's plan of gradual phase-in, despite the surge in Covid-19 cases across the country. And this has many parents concerned about their children's return to school.

The government is easing restrictions on industries and educational institutes in an attempt to help improve economic conditions amidst the Covid-19 crisis.

Follow all the latest coronavirus-related news in Africa on our dedicated live blog

School re-opening, grades and dates announced

During this stage of schools re-opening, the pupils of certain grades are expected to be back on 6 July, and the list is as follows:

Early Childhood Development (ECD);

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 6

Grade 10

Grade 11

School of Skills: Years 2 and 3

Schools for Learners with Severe Intellectual Disabilities (SID): Grades R, 1, 2, 3 and 6; and

Special Care Centers for Learners with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities  (LSPID): Years 1-3

Basic Education Department spokesperson, Mr Elijah Mhlanga made assurances that schools have taken all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of their pupils.

"We have been doing a lot of work to prepare for the next cohort of learners that are coming back on the 6th of July," he said. "It's a large number, about six million of them are coming back. Provinces have been focusing on the preparations."

The last phase of school re-opening is set to be on 3 August as more grades are expected to return to schools. These include:

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 8

Grade 9

School of Skills: Year 1; and

Schools for Learners with Severe Intellectual Disabilities  (SID): Grades 4 and 5