Basic Education reviews phasing-in of pupils as Covid-19 numbers surge
The Department of Basic Education has decided to only phase-in pupils in grades 6, 11, and R on July 6.
Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says the decision was made at a meeting on Thursday.
The initial plan was to welcome back at least 6 million pupils to the classroom in grades R, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, and 11.
"The council of education ministers held a four-hour-long meeting this morning to consider five different reports that looked at the work the department is doing during Covid-19," says Mhlanga.
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He adds that the decision was to ensure that schools can manage the number of learners coming back to school and considers the increasing infection rate.
The other grades will be phased in later in July.