BusinessLive reports that after insisting that classroom education would take place in its schools, Curro, SA’s largest private education provider, made a U-turn on Monday, saying it would now provide online learning until 15 February.  

Curro had indicated it would open its doors despite the education ministry pushing back the start of the school year by another two weeks to 15 February due to rising Covid-19 infections.  Meanwhile, Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi called for the postponement to be made official in a government gazette.  Lesufi on Monday visited an independent school in Johannesburg, Helpmekaar Kollege, that also initially disregarded the government’s decision to postpone the start of the academic year.  The school reversed its decision after his visit.  Lesufi said the decision to delay the reopening of schools was based on expert advice.  “The delay to reopen schools does not question schools’ capability to manage the virus; it is more to help minimise the movement of people so we reduce the chances of infections. Schools may well have the means to sanitise and keep social distancing, but those learners move daily between home and schools, thereby raising the chances that young people spread this virus,” Lesufi explained.  Of Curro, Lesufi said:  “I spoke to the CEO of Curro schools and they have also agreed to retract face-to-face learning. The province is under siege from the Covid-19 virus and we need everyone to play their part.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nonkululeko Njilo at BusinessLive

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