COSAS: All schools must close
The Congress of South African Students (COSAS) says all schools must be closed. This organisation will begin with a national shutdown of all private schools on Monday.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a four-week long break for learners in public schools across the country, but private schools have been allowed to remain open.
In the video below, President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the closure of public schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic:
The decision to close public schools followed mounting pressure on Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga due to the continuing surge in coronavirus infections in the country. Matrics in public schools will return to classes in a week's time and grade seven a week later.
Cosas' Beauty Blennies says they're fighting for equal education.
“We have been fighting for equal education, we have been fighting for equal opportunities but yet the government decides to continuously put inequality within our education system. Yes, we understand that private schools are independent schools and the salaries of teachers and the salaries of the teachers come from the school fees of the learners but when we talk about equal education, we need to speak from one voice and that means we need to speak from one point.
So as Cosas what we are saying is that we are going to try and gain access to schools and we are going to shut down private schools. We cannot allow segregation to be practiced during this pandemic.”
