Today the SG Themba Kojana is briefing the @eclegislature on #schoolsreopening across the province.

We have devised the following key areas to look at our schools in terms of readiness for Grades 7 and 12.

As at the 15th of June, there are 4851 schools are operational in the province, only 30 are not ready and these are some of the reasons: no PPE, cleaning, etc.

We know the number of schools that have not opened due to non-functional ablution facilities, they are 38 and we are working on fixing this. Mobile toilet delivery is at 61%.

This is the same with water.

Those service providers that have not delivered PPE for learners have been replaced and delivery is happening this week.

#SchoolsReopening

There are other reasons why some schools have not opened: wanting testing of all learners, demanding more scholar transport, etc.

#SchoolsReopening

As at the 15th of June, we have had 58 schools cumulatively that have been closed temporarily for decontamination.

#SchoolsReopening

We have approved 203 applications for learner exemptions from school attendance due to comorbidities. This is as the department continues to provide online and offline support to these learners.

#schoolsreopening
#Bonkengabethu

We have developed standard operating procedures in our province that are informed by @HealthZA and @DBE_SA practices and procedures.

#SchoolsReopening

Our operating process also involves screening

#SchoolsReopening

If a person's temperature is higher than 38 degrees or they have answered yes to any one of the questions in our form, those persons will be treated as a person under investigation.

#SchoolsOpening

Persons under investigation...

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Management of a confirmed case is also dealt with in our operating procedures. We have training from Drs Jaxa and Nyathi on COVID-19.

#SchoolsReopening

Our Quintile 1 to 3 schools will be having their flu vaccinations

#SchoolsReopening

We continue to also make our learners and teachers' mental health a key priority. We have teams in place in the districts to ensure that we are catering to the psychosocial needs of our Imfundo Family.

#SchoolsReopening

We are also preparing for the phasing in of other grades on the 6th of July

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Decisions around schools deviating from phasing in are with the HOD. We have had 69 schools approved for accelerated phasing in of grades (notably most are independent and quintile 4-5, with some 1-3)

#SchoolsReopening

In terms of the classes that we have, there is the 49 sq meters that cater for 42 learners normally, but with social distancing, it will be 25 learners in the classes. With 60 sq, we have 30 learners in the class.

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The average school size in our province is 346 learners. the bulk of our schools are actually small and very small.

#SchoolsReopening

In terms of phasing in, we have to focus on OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Amathole which have the largest concentration of learners in terms of ratios.

We have asked districts to come back to us on what is possible in terms of the options for platooning, rotation or full scale.

#SchoolsReopening

The platooning and rotation pros and cons are highlighting in these slides.

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A lot of our schools are small schools and will be able to have full enrollment without a need for huge changes, there are some medium sized schools and a small number of large schools

#SchoolsReopening

We continue to make strides to ensure that we respond to all of the challenges that are there in the sector, getting to the new normal of #COVID19 as we have #SchoolsReopening

Cc @Dispatch_DD @HeraldPE @BongeMacupe @UWFM88_106FM @SABCNews @eNCA @City_Press @SundayTimesZA