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OPINION: The closure of schools is a disaster for the children

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Empty classes due to closure of public schools as the corona virus cases hike.
Empty classes due to closure of public schools as the corona virus cases hike.

A concerned mom of two wrote to Parent24 to share her frustrations about schools closing again, read her thoughts below.


My children are in Grade 4 and Grade 7 and have both been going to school on a rotational basis since the middle of June and have been enjoying some form of “normalcy” again even if there is no play during breaks and social distancing is practised.

When they heard that the schools are closing, they were greatly disappointed, and the spark in their eyes died a little.

Children need that discipline of the school and the interaction with the teachers and peers. It is an important part of their social development, even at a distance.

My questions for the extended school year into 2021 are:

  • Who is going to pay the extra school costs as now there may be a month or two additional costs at primary school for my Grade 7?
  • What about his uniform?

Now, I will have to buy the new high school uniform and probably for the extra two/three months the primary school uniform, as my child is currently at that stage where he is constantly growing.

Will the Department of Basic Education use the time wisely?

The personal development of a child at that age is huge, and they are ready to leave primary school.

Will the Department of Basic Education use the time wisely and ensure that all the schools that were not ready, are ready in four weeks?

For work purposes, I had to travel to a small rural town at the end of June. Several school-age children were sitting there in the street with no masks and no social distancing. Surely the children would be safer at school, where the masks and social distancing are enforced!

I am sure that the consequence of this decision to close schools will be big, and many children may not go back to school once schools open.

Kind regards, Concerned Mom

*The views and opinions expressed above don't necessarily reflect that of Parent24 or Media24. 

What are your thoughts about public schools closing again? 

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