Live stream: Motshekga provides back to school update

After numerous postponed briefings and court bids to halt the reopening of schools set for Monday, 8 June, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to give an update on her department’s state of readiness.

Motshekga and her department will be holding a media briefing on Sunday, 7 June 2020, at 16h00 in Pretoria.

Watch: Motshekga provides back to school update

[Live stream scheduled to start at 16:00 on Sunday 7 June]

It has been a gruelling week for the minister, who was not only forced to admit that her department was far from ready to welcome Grade 7 and 12 pupils back into the classroom, but faced the wrath of many who took issue with the initial decision.

Schools were meant to reopen on Monday, 1 June, however Motshekga postponed it by a week, saying more time was needed for classrooms to prepare.

Maimane not backing down

So far, the department has won favour from the courts after several failed bids to block the reopening of schools. The latest is one by former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane and his One South Africa Movement, who had approached the Constitutional Court.

“We seek to invoke the court’s wide remedial powers by seeking structural or supervisory relief stipulating stringent conditions, without which the respondents may not implement any of the Level 3 measures and/or more specifically the reopening of schools for a period of 60 days, during which the constitutional breaches may be cured. In the supervening period, and in order to avoid a vacuum, the Level 4 regulations must be restored,” Maimane had said in his application.

Teacher unions unhappy

 The much contested decision has also provoked the ire of teacher unions who have accused the department of not consulting them on the state of readiness and the pronounced dates.

Sadtu, SAOU, PEU, Natu and Naptosa have condemned the department and accused it ignoring the evidence of provincial readiness.

“Progress has not been made in many areas and this still needs to be addressed. We were not consulted about the date of the opening of schools, so it’s the department’s responsibility to ensure that everything is ready – we can’t stop the tide,” Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said.