President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the state on public schools closing for a month and therefore the management of the resources that government has dedicated towards the fight against COVID-19.
Ramaphosa announced that each one public schools will close for up to a month, thanks to the increase in COVID-19 infections.
After the consultations he had with various stakeholders, he made the announcement.
He also added that the varsity year are going to be extended beyond December.
Here may be a summary of Ramaphosa’s announcements:
ON THE CLOSURE of faculties
• All public schools should take an opportunity for subsequent four weeks.
• Schools are going to be closed from 27 July and can re-open on 24 August.
• Grade 12 learners and teachers will only take a one-week break, returning to high school on 3 August.
• Grade 7 learners will take a two-week break, returning to high school on 10 August.
• Specific arrangements are going to be made for various categories of special schools.
• the present school year are going to be extended beyond the top of 2020.
• The National School Nutrition Programme will still operate in order that all learners or their parents can collect food directly from schools.
The president also said that those guilty of embezzling COVID-19 funds are going to be prosecuted.
ON CORRUPTION associated with COVID-19 FUNDS
• An investigations centre has been found out to probe all alleged corruption associated with COVID-19 funds.
• Ramaphosa says different arms of the state will work together on the investigations.
• The Auditor-General has also adopted special measures to safeguard funds committed to the fight against COVID-19.
• Special audits are undertaken to detect and stop misuse of those funds and to spot risks within the system.
• Investigations into the distribution of food parcels, social relief grants, the procurement of private protective equipment and other medical supplies, and therefore the UIF special COVID-19 scheme have already begun.
• a minimum of 36 cases are currently at various stages of investigation and prosecution.
• Ramaphosa also signed a special proclamation empowering the Special Investigating Unit to probe any contract or tender implicated in COVID-19 corruption.
• to make sure that action is taken speedily, Ramaphosa are going to be getting interim reports on investigations every six weeks.
Decisions about the reopening of schools must strike a difficult balance between the risk of learners contracting COVID-19 & the academic and social costs of prolonged closures. pic.twitter.com/51ZPqIOY77
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 23, 2020
