As the world commemorates International Day for Protection of Children and Global Day of Parents on Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa assured parents, educators and learners that government would effectively minimise coronavirus (Covid-19) risks when learners return to school.

On Sunday, the Department of Basic Education announced that schools will reopen on June 1, but that pupils will only return from June 8.

“As parents, teachers, governing bodies and government, we are in agreement that no school should reopen until all the necessary precautions are in place. There needs to be transparency about the level of preparedness of each of the schools. Everyone who is a key role player, be they a parent, a school governing body (SGB) member, a teacher or a government official should be able to have the correct information about the state of preparedness of each school. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the learning environment is safe,” Ramaphosa said.

He assured that government was making every effort to protect children returning to school and said it was a responsibility that government did not take lightly.

Government has drawn up standard operating procedures for training and orientation of screeners, timetable realignment and configuring classrooms to meet social distancing requirements, and has deployed these to all schools.

Personal protective equipment is also being delivered to schools, along with ensuring the availability of water and sanitation services.

Ramaphosa said once learning commences, it would be under strict conditions with a limited number of learners and students.

“Parents want reassurance that the necessary precautions should be in place to adequately protect learners. The safety of our youngest citizens from a health and physical perspective is not negotiable. It is our foremost priority,” he said.

He reiterated that government was taking advice from scientists and was in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Ramaphosa thanked parents, grandparents and caregivers for taking on the responsibility for the education of their children during the lockdown months.

He urged parents to continue to play an active role in their children’s education after the lockdown by joining SGBs or volunteering at schools.

“Ultimately it is both our personal actions and our collective efforts that will keep our children safe. Whatever we do next, we need to do together,” he said.