Should the 2020 Academic year be scrapped as learners feel anxious about retuning to classrooms?

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On The Covid Report today speak to learners in Grades 11 and 12 about how online schooling has been and retuning to school as numbers of the coronavirus infection increase.

While it remains unclear whether schools across the country will reopen for matrics and Grade 7 pupils by 1 June, some experts and teachers have warned that it is still too early to reopen schools. The question then is, should the 2020 academic year be scrapped?

A Grade 11 Aqualline Sakhu says online learning has been difficult as she lives in Setswetla, an informal settlement on the North of Johannesburg with no space or data to keep up with school work. She says she does not se how it would be possible to pass and move on to the next grade. Another learner, a matriculant from a school in Makhanda Mbali Booi says while she has access to internet and has been able to attend classes using zoom a video and audio conferencing platform, she does not feel confident enough to write her preliminary exams. Teachers have also had to learn teaching online and using teaching tools. We spoke to Lucky Xazi who is a teacher and activist who says the Department of Basic education has to use the resources it has to ensure that education is not a privilege reserved for a few.
13 May 2020 English South Africa Technology · Music

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