Schools are due to close on 1 October, but the department wants 4 to 8 October to be used, to make up for time lost. The department is still consulting unions. Meanwhile, UNICEF says some pupils are between 75% and an entire school year behind where they should be, according to the latest statistics. It was attributed to rotational attendance, sporadic school closures, and days off for specific grades, leading to school children losing 54% of learning time.
The Department of Basic Education is considering cancelling the October school holiday to make up for days lost during the Covid-19 disruptions.
