1. Hon.members, the schools readiness programme 2020, clearly showed that most schools were not ready to accept learners in June like Dlambula Primary in Magabeni, partly due to the lockdown measures but mainly because most school management teams and SCM’s have not worked consistently to rectify the problems of ablution facilities and other key infrastructure maintenance and expansions. This is confirmed by the non-opening or early closing of some schools.
2. Hon.Premier, I hope COVID-19 pushes us to finalise the 10 year School’s Transformation Programme.
3. COVID-19 has enforced SOP’s which speak to Norms and Standards, in terms of space requirements based on social distancing; compulsory hygiene considerations in terms of ablution and water provision; the need for quality nutrition where school kitchen specifications must consider equipment safety and staff and learner comfort.
4. Hon.members, COVID-19 is caused by a minute virus we can’t see but, its massive effects are felt, hence our focus been moved to basic human needs of health and education. Hence, the District Health schools teams must be highly active now.
5. The Department of Education must resolve that, remaining mud schools and those with pits must be either closed or rebuilt. The main message from COVID-19 is simple: get the basics right because“cleanliness is close to Godliness”.
6. Hon.Premier, COVID-19 Information signage’s must be prioritised in schools. Also, please investigate why PPE’s are being unevenly distributed currently.
7. I want to thank the officials for the comprehensive Report. To strengthen these, some stats should be done to point areas needing budget focus for schools reopening on the 24th August.
8. I want to end by saying, “Where’s there’s a will there’s a way”- We did not need COVID-19 to be a catalyst for political and departmental “will “to get things done right. The MF recommends that these schools be revisited by September to follow-up given the communicative trends of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
9. Thank you.

Debated Virtually