Schools must stay closed

LAND Party opposes the reopening of schools. This would be a reckless decision by the Department of Basic Education. The government is battling with high non-compliance of adults who are not adhering to lockdown regulations but expect pupils to be responsible at schools. The LAND Party asks the government to resume schooling in August, not now. Sending pupils to schools while parents are at home because of lockdown is irresponsible. The LAND Party asks all teachers and pupils to defy this decision if government decides to reopen schools in May. The lives of teachers and pupils are paramount, they can not afford to gamble with their lives. How will the government guarantee the safety of teachers and pupils while the government fails to even provide stationery and learning materials to teachers and pupils? How will the government prioritize the safety of teachers and pupils when there are classes with 40-70 pupils in them or while there are still mud schools that children have to walk more than 5km to get to? We call on the government to provide teachers and pupils with devices to study at home. LAND Party calls on the Minister of Basic Education to prioritize the safety of our teachers and pupils and keep schools closed. END