DIRECTIONS REGARDING THE RE-OPENING OF SCHOOLS AFTER THE BREAK – AUGUST 2020

Enquiries : Dr TA Phorabatho
Tel: 018 388 3407

DEPUTY DIRECTORS-GENERAL
CHIEF DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
DISTRICT DIRECTORS
SUB-DISTRICT MANAGERS
CIRCUIT MANAGERS
SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS
LABOUR ORGANISATIONS

Departmental Circular No. 37 of 2020

SUBJECT: DIRECTIONS REGARDING THE RE-OPENING OF SCHOOLS AND MEASURES TO PREVENT AND
COMBAT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN NORTH WEST SCHOOLS

1. On 23 July 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of all public schools for a period of four weeks - from
27 July 2020 to 24 August 2020 – due to a surge in Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country.

2. This circular seeks to provide guidance on arrangements that need to be adhered to concerning the reopening of schools
and precautionary measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in schools in the province.

3. This circular must be read in conjunction with the Directions issued by the Minister of Basic Education Mrs AM Motshekga
(MP) regarding the re-opening of schools and measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in the
National Department of Basic Education, and Provincial Departments of Education, and all schools in the Republic of
South Africa.

General Management, Teaching and Learning

4. Principals and School Management Teams of all Public Ordinary and Special Schools must be on duty to make
arrangements for the return of the learners anticipated in the weeks ahead.

5. Grade 12 and Year 4 Technical Occupational Stream learners should return to school on Monday, 03 August 2020.

6. All teachers (and teacher support staff) in all Public Ordinary and Special Schools, respectively, offering Grade 12 and
Year 4 Technical Occupational Stream classes in North West Province must report for duty from Monday, 03 August 2020.

7. Grade 7 learners must return to school on Tuesday, 11 August 2020.

DIRECTIONS REGARDING THE RE-OPENING OF SCHOOLS AFTER THE BREAK – AUGUST 2020

8. Similarly, all teachers (and teacher support staff) in all Public Ordinary Schools offering Grade 7 in North West Province
must report for duty from Tuesday, 11 August 2020.

9. The Principal and School Management Team should make staffing arrangements pertaining to the teachers who are not
teaching Grade 12 or Grade 7 learners during weeks 2 and 3 of the national school break, which may include assigning
them functions such as supporting teaching of Grade 12 or Grade 7, preparation of work for learners at home, performing
ground duties, oversight of NSNP, etc.

10. The Principal and School Management Team must also ensure that non-teaching staff assists with ensuring compliance
with the COVID-19 protocols including health, safety and social distancing requirements and also assist with feeding of
learners eligible for the National School Nutrition Programme.

11. All teachers in Public Ordinary and Special Schools must report for duty on 17 August 2020 to prepare for the anticipated
return of learners from 24 August 2020.

12. The staggered return of other grades and levels, respectively, in Public Ordinary and Special Schools will be
communicated in due course.

National School Nutrition Programme

13. All public schools which participate in the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) must ensure that the meals are
made accessible to every qualifying learner.

14. Feeding of learners should be done at schools in a staggered manner in order to observe the required COVID-19
protocols for social distancing.

The contents of this circular must be brought to the attention of all it may concern.

Together we can beat the spread of COVID-19!

Yours sincerely,

31 July 2020
DATE

cc: Hon. ML Matsemela - Member of Executive Council for Education

Mr JNT Mohlala – Administrator