However, the Commission is concerned by reports from a recent survey conducted for Teacher Unions that there are schools not yet ready to receive learners into safe environments with basic precautionary measures in place such as access to water, sanitation, sanitisers and masks.
For this reason, the Commission will intensify its monitoring of schools in the days and weeks ahead through the following:
1.    Commission monitors are currently visiting schools to assess the availability of basic hygiene and safety amenities and PPEs and the provision of food and learning materials.

2.    An electronic survey will be conducted in the coming week on water, sanitation, PPEs and provision of food and learning materials.

3.    A Basic Education Indaba will take place on 19 August 2020 where education stakeholders will propose concrete solutions to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and National State of Disaster on the right to a basic education and related rights.
Reports on all of the above will be provided to the Department of Basic Education and Provincial Departments of Education.
The Commission calls on all education stakeholders to use the week ahead to prepare for the safe return of all learners on 24 August 2020.

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Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission
Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.