The advent of Covid-19 has brought drastic changes in the lives of ‘all’ around the world with people having to adapt and to acquaint themselves with the “new normal”. Peoples’ normal ways of conducting their daily lives and work has been affected by the prevailing situation. Whether people like it or not, the pandemic is still going to be with us for a long time as long as people are not adhering to strict Covid-19 rules which requires them to wash/sanitise their hands regularly, put on their masks at all times, keep social distance and continue to avoid social gatherings which are regarded as super-spreaders.
In the recent week leading to the announcement by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, we have seen learners taking to the streets protesting against what they term as “the inability of school management in Gauteng to disclose their Covid-19 status”. These learners deduced that the practice puts their lives at risk as some teachers continue teaching without observing Covid-19 precautionary measures.
Whilst the reasons for the learner’s protests are understandable and valid, it’s however, contradictory that the same are not adhering to social distancing. This, we believe, counters their motive as it seems as if they do not know what they are doing!! Their demand is one, “Let the schools close with immediate effect in order to save lives”. This view seem to concur with the one raised by some political parties who called for total shutdown of schools by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, or else they will close them themselves.
Lives matters and education is invaluable to this kids and to the country as a whole as this learners are tomorrow’s workforce. Perhaps the RSA (Republic of South Africa) should mediate and bring about a reasonable decision that will cater for the needs of all the citizens of this country. Even after the president’s (President Cyril Ramaphosa) announcements of the lockdown, we are still hearing complaints by people from other sectors of the economy who felt that moving the country to Lock-down level 4 will cripple the economy and many people will lose employment!!
Rabaloi JM is a teacher and an analyst who writes in his own capacity and his views and believes does not represent those of Art-tainment Magazine and its management. To write back to us and to comment to the stories in this platform you can SIGN-IN to make your views heard. Art-tainment Magazine is an artistic magazine which affords artists and creative people the opportunity to promote and popularize the artworks of artists in South Africa and across the globe.
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