Covid-19 was not only a pandemic but it also had a devastating impact on education – Ramaphosa

Lerato Mbhiza

President Cyril Ramaphosa said while some learners adapted swiftly to online learning during the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, others, particularly those from poorer communities experienced greater challenges.

Ramaphosa was addressing the 10th Education International African regional conference at the Sandton Convention Center on Tuesday where he spoke about the devastating impact the pandemic had on South Africa, saying as we navigated the turbulent waters, the world was confronted with political upheavals and conflicts.

“We saw how rural communities and students with disabilities were disproportionately affected. With schooling disrupted, inequalities in education were exacerbated”. 

Ramaphosa added that Covid-19 and the lockdowns which resulted in schools, businesses and other public enterprises being forced to shut down,  further strained social fabric, affecting the livelihoods of countless individuals and denying many children their fundamental right to education. 

On the other hand, the pandemic hastened digital transformation and altered patterns of