Fear leaves Motshekga’s plans to open schools in chaos

Government’s plan to reopen schooling could be in jeopardy because of fears expressed by parents and teachers that schools across the country are not ready for the big step.

South Africa’s major teachers’ unions are threatening that their members will not turn up at schools tomorrow, violating the return date for teachers stipulated by the department of basic education. One union has even indicated that it will head to court to interdict the reopening.

Chief among the unions’ concerns are the slow delivery, or nondelivery, of essentials such as personal protective equipment (PPE), water tanks and additional classrooms.