Shock As Motshekga Ploughs Ahead With Controversial Plan To Reopen Schools Despite Warnings

CHARLES MOLELE AND NYAKALLO TEFU

BASIC EDUCATION Minister Angie Motshekga has defended her Department’s hotly-contested decision to re-open schools in June, arguing that she followed rigorous research, scientific data and international best practice, including specific guidelines from the World Health Organization, UNESCO and UNICEF.

Addressing the media on Tuesday evening, Motshekga shrugged off concerns by hostile teachers’ unions and non-governmental organizations and presented her controversial plan to re-open schools after their sudden closures in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Motshekga, who was flanked by department officials including Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule and Director-General Mathanzima Mweli, said her advice for children to return to school came from the three international bodies, who say that being out of school increased the risk of teenage pregnancies, sexual exploitation, child marriages, violence and other social maladies.

WHO, UNESCO and UNICEF also states in their guidelines that countries can only re-open schools if it