By: Natasha Archary
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says rotational learning in South Africa is an unconstitutional rule which is severely stunting educational progress.
Party leader, John Steenhuisen says that children in no-fee schools have lost over half of their normal school days since the start of the pandemic. More than 70% of South African schools have a no-fee structure.
He says the rotational module has meant children have learnt less than half of what they would normally learn.
According to Steenhuisen, the long-term effects on children will be lower educational attainment, lower earnings, higher unemployment, and being more likely to be in lower skilled occupations in adulthood.
The party has also called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to end the State of Disaster, in a bid to “get back to normal”.
Steenhuisen says the ‘irrational rules’ by Ramaphosa’s administration is depriving children of their constitutional right to education.
The South African Paediatric Association is in support of the rotational school structure falling away.
Warning that denying children access to school may result in poorer mental health, increased behavioural and developmental concerns, lack of access to social opportunities, increased isolation, academic impacts, child abuse, and neglect.
On 23 January 2022, six experts in infectious diseases and vaccinology stated:
“With the very high levels of asymptomatic transmission and community immunity present, there is no reason to continue restricting class sizes or children playing.”
Cabinet is yet to announce whether schools will make a full return next week.
