COVID-19 casts a light on the burden of untreated trauma and socio-economic distress that South Africa has carried for many generations. The pandemic has exacerbated an already fragile psychosocial, health and economic situation, impacting the fabric of life and disrupting the daily routines that underpin the relations between families, friends and the wider community.
During the unprecedented highs and lows of the 2020 academic year due to COVID-19, the normality for children to attend school to home based learning has changed our basic academic landscape. Suddenly the parents and caregivers had to help wherever possible the keep the children on their academic track.
Facing a global health crisis like COVID-19 has brought many academic and social challenges as well as frustrations for both parents and children. As online schoolworklessons and socialising with friends and family became the new norm. Children became at greater risk of harm online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The Minister of Basic Education Mrs Angie Motshekga has today launched Woza Matrics, a free-to-air television initiative that is aimed at supporting the matric learners of 2020 following the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
At the consultative meeting of the Minister of Basic Education organised by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), over 130 members of civil society raised questions and made submissions regarding schooling during swelling COVID-19 numbers across the country.
As part of the response the NECT is working with the DBE and the key partners to keep the over 440 000 teachers engaged with the current aspects of the disaster and to take advantage of the time to reflect on the teaching career.
© National Education Collaboration Trust
