Eastern Cape has postpone the return of Grades R, 6 and 11 due to a high number of Covid-19 cases at schools.
On Monday, July 6, the department confirmed that pupils in Grades R, 6 and 11, who were meant to return to school on Monday, would hold back till 20 July 2020.
In a circular, which was dated 5 July and addressed to all principals, Education Superintendent-general Themba Kojana said, the increase in the number of infections has again necessitated the education sector to review its plans for the phasing in of grades.
It was reported that 200 schools in the province were closed due to Covid-19 cases since reopening on 8 June. He said these were part of a total of 291 affected by the virus.
557 pupils, teachers and support staff were infected with Covid-19 at schools in 10 districts in the province.
“As indicated before, the Corona pandemic remains a very fluid situation, which is constantly monitored, and necessitates decisions to be evaluated and reviewed, as the situation changes,” he further said.
Pupils in Grades 4, 9 and 10 will return on 27 July, those in Grades 5 and 8 will return on 3 August and pupils in Grades 2 and 1 will return on 10 August 2020.
