Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga justified the decision to reopen schools amid the Covid-19 pandemic, saying 98% of pupils have returned to schools.
"The 98% of parents would not have sent their children if they didn't trust the rationality of [reopening] schools," Motshekga told the virtual plenary meeting, which also included the provincial MECs for education.
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Schools reopened for Grade 7 and 12 pupils on 8 June, delayed a week from the original date of 1 June, and Motshekga said there was no turning back now as they must find a way to live alongside the virus.
Motshekga said when there was a positive case at a school, the Department of Health was quick to swoop in.
Schools can be closed for the Department of Health to manage the case, including decontamination, contact tracing and testing, among others.
