Johannesburg – The Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have slammed government’s decision to close public schools.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that all public schools will close for up to a month, due to the rise in Covid-1 infections.
The President made the announcement after consulting with various stakeholders.
However, the SAHRC says the decision is regrettable and unjustifiable.
DA leader John Steenhuisen says Ramaphosa has bent the knee to teachers’ unions, particularly the South Africa Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU).
“This decision is not supported by the best available evidence, it is not supported by education experts, and it is not supported by the virus data,” said Steenhuisen.
“The scientific evidence is that schools do not expose learners and staff to higher levels of risk than any other places.”
The Commission says there are grave consequences for pupils if they are not at school.
The SAHRC has said that pupils will now face an increased risk of child abuse and health breakdowns, adding that there will be an increase in inequality since poorer school will not be able to continue learning.
The DA accused Ramaphosa of being a spectator president, saying he is merely taking instructions from whichever powerful interest group threatens him more.
