After a long and arduous wait, back to school season finally kicked off on Monday, marking the start of the 2021 curriculum.
Back to school: Here are the protocols for SA schools
Schools have been given the green light to welcome pupils for the first time this year. The nationwide reopening was hampered by the continued spread of Covid-19, forcing the basic education department to restructure the new curriculum.
Private schools returned to school on 1 February 2021, owing to the institutions’ advanced access to remote learning resources. Public schools opted for a more cautious approach to welcoming pupils back to classrooms.
Millions of rand were spent on a mass scale school decontamination project and a new protocol has been set. While there is no set standard to follow, each school is required to split pupils’ attendance into groups.
At some schools, these groups alternate between two and three attendance days per week, with a set limit of pupils allowed inside the premises.
Face masks are mandatory and social distancing measures are implemented in all areas of learning. This, it is hoped, will reduce person-to-person transmission of the virus that, to this day, has claimed the lives of 47 899 South Africans.
In pictures: SA pupils kickstart 2021 curriculum
To celebrate the return of pupils, scores of parents and excited scholars took to social media to share pictures and videos of their first day back at school.
Here are some of the ‘back to school’ posts we picked out on social media:
#BackToSchool
— Blacknificent (@MadloloGcobisa) February 15, 2021
I cannot believe my double-trouble is in Grade : 2✏️ ✏️ pic.twitter.com/HE3hhdUo2U
First day of big school, Grade R. I'm such a proud mom right now #BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/F3VaNi36df
— Lulu faith (@lulu_malangabi) February 15, 2021
A new adventure ♀️… He was a bit nervous but I think he handled himself well . All the best to my son ❤️
— Potšo (@zurpu_) February 15, 2021
Grade 1#BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/jhzpWl4QSn
All the best baby girl #BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/uUGHcrzwdN
— L. E. W. N. Y Maluleke (@l_maluleke) February 15, 2021
#BackToSchool
— SIYABONGA ️ (@Mashiinini) February 15, 2021
First day in #Matric2021 pic.twitter.com/TcfRrvg3fd
Grade 1 here We come #BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/OjH8KjLTHY
— Empress °f Sparta ✪ (@Nomthy_Mshengu) February 15, 2021
First day for princess at big school. Bundle of Joy.
— Tholeni (@MugabeDaylight) February 15, 2021
Grade 1#BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/JKcRfS5UWs
All the best for this academic year nwananga #BackToSchool pic.twitter.com/Yum3rdWkzU
— The Great Magigi (@OfficialMagigi) February 15, 2021