Human Rights Commission: Closure of public schools will deepen inequality
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) believes the decision by Cabinet to close public schools for four weeks will only serve to deepen inequality.
Ramaphosa said Grade 12 pupils will only be away from their desks for one week and grade 7 pupils for two weeks.
He also confirmed that the current academic year will bleed into 2021.
SAHRC commissioner Andre Gaum doesn’t believe Cabinet is able to justify the decision.
"The Commission regards this decision as regrettable and unjustifiable because it means by the 24th of August over 10 million children, depending on their grade, would have lost over 50% to 100 scheduled school days.
"Our view on the opening of schools was guided by evidence provided by a range of researchers that point to devastating consequences on children who are not going to school.
"This means increased risk of child abuse, mental health breakdowns, rising rates of depression and anxiety and children at risk of being left at home alone when caregivers go home.”
He says the decision will also lead to a further widening of the inequality gap, as it is far more difficult for poor pupils to continue with their studies while away from school.
