Live stream: What time is Angie Motshekga’s ‘back to school’ address?

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to brief the media on Tuesday, to reveal preparations for the re-opening of schools amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Her address will be televised and broadcast via live stream online, which can be viewed within this article. But what time does it all kick-off?

Angie Motshekga: What time will the school reopening announcement take place on Tuesday 19 May?

Tuesday’s briefing is expected to outline proposed dates for the reopening of schools. The address was initially scheduled for last Thursday, before being pushed back to Monday. However, yesterday brought another postponement, and Motshekga will now update South Africans at 16:00 on Tuesday. The Education Department confirmed this earlier:

“The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, will give an update on the preparations for the re-opening of schools during a media briefing to be held on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 at 16:00.”

Department of Education

Live stream: Watch Angie Motshekga reveal the back to school plans here

[Live stream will appear here just before 16:00 on Tuesday – we will update you with any potential changes]

Back to school – dates, challenges and interventions

According to the DBE, the postponements were to allow for further consultation with stakeholders in the education sector: The Minister on Monday met with the Council of Education Ministers. The briefing will be held at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) head office in Pretoria.

The address will be one of the most keenly followed since the beginning of lockdown in South Africa. Millions of school children – as well as their parents and teachers – have been left hanging in terms of clarity. Motshekga and her team have identified 1 June as the potential start date for Grade 12 and Grade 7.

The other Grades – arguably at less ‘critical times’ of their education journey – are likely to return in stages later this year. There are many variables that will need to be established, including the identification of disease hot-spots and how these regions will progress differently to ‘safer’ places.