COVID-19 took a huge toll on South Africa’s education system as 1,493 teachers succumbed to the virus this year, said Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshega.
The minister said the 2020 academic year was most challenging due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.
“At this point, I also want to acknowledge the fact that during those difficult times, we lost almost 1,493 teachers.
We lost a number of our workers. We lost a number of district officials, circuit officials,” she told a news briefing.
In spite of this, the 2021 academic year would start on Jan. 25 with teachers and pupils returning to the classroom on Jan. 27.
She said a three-year recovery plan would be implemented to deal with 2020’s disruptions.
“The unintended learning losses occurred due to extended closure of schools. Remember some of the learners only came in September,” Motshega said.
DPA reports that the department could not accommodate learners even after they had returned to the classroom.
