At least 10,000 children in South Africa have dropped out of school since the start of the coronavirus pandemic that has heavily impacted the school sector, the Department of Education said.
Face-to-face classes have only partially resumed since schools reopened in June 2020, after more than two months of home schooling in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Public schools have again been closed for short periods-with a delayed start to the 2021 academic year-and most students are still only able to attend classes on a rotating basis to avoid overcrowding.
The disruptions have impacted school attendance, with 10,000 fewer children, ages 7 to 14, enrolled in school in 2021, according to preliminary figures from the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
Enrollment was also 25,000 below expectations for children ages four to six. “Unprecedented closures of our schools and unanticipated disruptions to teaching and learning have resulted in a loss of the gains made over the past 20 years,” Angie Motshekga said at a press conference.
Poor rural areas and townships with limited access to the internet have been hit hard.
At least 10,000 children in South Africa have dropped out of school since the start of the coronavirus pandemic that has heavily impacted the school sector, the Department of Education said Sunday.
Face-to-face classes have only partially resumed since schools reopened in June 2020, after more than two months of home schooling in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19. Public schools have again been closed for short periods-with a delayed start to the 2021 academic year-and most students are still only able to attend classes on a rotating basis to avoid overcrowding.
The disruptions have impacted school attendance, with 10,000 fewer children, ages 7 to 14, enrolled in school in 2021, according to preliminary figures from the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Enrollment was also 25,000 below expectations for children aged four to six.
“Unprecedented closures of our schools and unanticipated disruptions to teaching and learning have resulted in a loss of the gains made over the past 20 years,” Motshekga said at a press conference.
Poor rural areas and townships with limited access to the internet have been hit hard.