GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Grade 7 and 12 Graaff-Reinet learners witnessed history in the making when they, together with learners across the country, returned to school on Monday, 8 June.
Gone are their carefree school days, as they lined-up outside their respective schools, with masks on, to undergo a screening process: their new normal.
Despite these uncertain times amid the Covid-19 pandemic, learners were in high spirits to return to school.
According to the principle of Graaff-Reinet Primary School, William Hector, learners kept asking before the school's opening when they would be able to return. This, he said, is a positive sign that the rest of the school year will be a success.
At Thembalesizwe Primary School in Umasizakhe, learners were also keen to be back at school, queued neatly in their designated spots. "I'm excited to be back," said learner Lathitha Sonjica (12). Behind her were classmates Bradley Claasen (12), Othemna Hermans (13) and Chumani Hermans (15), who all said that they were happy to be back, as they missed attending class.
Teachers were equally as excited to welcome back their learners and teachers at Laer Volkskool donned wigs and funny hats to lighten the spirits. At Union, the Grade 7s were welcomed back with a bar of chocolate to make the experience a bit sweeter.
Asherville Secondary chairperson of the school's governing body, Nella Reid, said that the school and Grade 12s are positive that the rest of the school year will go as planned, with the amended curriculum. "We have strong and positive candidates and know that they will make us proud," she said.
"We need to take this challenge on as a team," Hoër Volksool Principal, Theo Dörfling, told learners in a statement. "Not one of us has experienced this, but God will be with us every day."
Union pre-schoolers and preparatory learners gave their Grade 7s and Grade 12s words of encouragement through hand-written messages, which was shared by the school on social media. "I'm very proud of you for having the courage to go back to school," wrote Grade 3 learner, Chanté Bezuidenhout.
Lathitha Sonjica (12), a Grade 7 learner at Thembalesizwe Primary School in Umasizakhe, waits patiently for her turn to be screened for Covid-19.
* According to a statement made by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on Tuesday, the Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of schools still closed. She could not give an exact number of schools affected but said it was due to several issues, such as no drinking water. Nqweba Secondary School in Umasizakhe, for example, remains closed. The school could not be reached for comment about the situation.
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