COVID-19 BASIC EDUCATION SECTOR PLAN MR HM MWELI DIRECTOR-GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION 1 PRESENTATION OUTLINE 1.Purpose 2.Introduction 3.International Experience 4.Size and Shape of the Sector 5.Lockdown Regulations 6.Pillars of the Sector Plan 7.RSA Risk Adjusted Strategy 8.Conclusion 2 PURPOSE present the COVID-19 To Basic Education Sector Plan to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture 3 Every child is a National Asset INTRDUCTIN round THE FIRST MILLION CASES CF CG Wuhan seafood market 1,000 .. .. . A Lockdowns start lifting in China 300 .. . 5 500,000 cases 3 700 .. 2 World Health Organization 7; 600 .. calls pandemlc .. 100,000 cases 0 500 .. 8 Lockdowns 400 .. start in Europe .. .. ~First genetic .. sequence available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. China 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. start 0 Trill-ruin- January February March 2020 5 Data correct as of 3 April 2020 Source: Nature 2020 31?? 9" 1.. THE RISK OF DOING NOTHING… …THIS IS NOT AN OPTION We face certain death – but left with the only choice to choose our cause of death… We die from the virus OR We die from poverty & hunger 9 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE SOME INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE • Taiwan closed schools only for two weeks, and resumed after that. Introduced strict social distancing measures. Temperature screening in the morning, compulsory face masks and regular hand washing and plastic dividers on desks. • China closed all schools between 20 January and 6 February 2020. Returned different grades in phases with grades 9 and 12 first. Compulsory cloth masks and temperature screening. Hand sanitizers available. • Denmark opened ECD centres and primary schools to Grade 5. No face mask requirement. But separate desks to 1m. Regular hand washing and hand sanitizers available. Cordon off the playground to limit interaction. And limit playgroups. Stagger break times. Very limited uptake though as most parents refuse to send children to school. Only into its second week though. • Singapore did not close schools. Have had a recent spike in new infections. Announced last week that all schools and universities to be closed from 20 April. Some schools and ECD centres to remain open for children of essential workers. 11 THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF BASIC EDUCATION SECTOR BASIC EDUCATION SECTOR Department of Basic Education (national) Provincial Education Departments (9) Education Districts (75) Circuit Offices (889) Schools (24 998) Independent (Private) schools (1 922) Public schools (23 076) Section 20 Public schools Section 21 Public Schools (former Model C) Greater financial autonomy Registered independent schools Non-subsidised independent schools Unregistered independent schools (illegal) Subsidised independent schools 13 NUMBER OF LEARNERS, EDUCATORS AND 3 THE ORDINARY SCHOOL SECTOR BY PROVINCE IN Independent Public and Independent pminm 3s13 at 333431 4s3331 Learners Edusaters Seheels Learners Edusaters Seneels Learners Haltenal Edusaters Hatienal Seneels Hatienal Tntal Tetal 33131 Eastern tape 343 314 14.1 34 333 14.4 3 433 31.3 Free State 333 334 33 333 1 333 13343 1 343 31 313333 3.3 34333 3.4 1 133 4.3 Eautenn 443 333 13.3 33 333 13.3 3 313 11.3 KnaZuIr-Hatal 3334313 33343 3331 33 343 3313 313 3 344334 31.3 33333 31.3 3333 34.1 Limp-one 1 333333 33313 3333 33 443 3133 133 I 1 333 313 13.4 I 34313 13.1 3331 13.3 Mpumalanna 1 333333 334341 3.4 33333 3.3 1 333 3.3 Harlnem Eane 333313 13 133 343 3333 433 33 333 333 3.3 13333 3.4 333 3.3 Hertlr West 333333 33334 1 431 33333 1 443 33 333 333 3.3 33313 3.3 1 333 3.1 Western tape 1 133313 33 333 1 443 31 413 3313 333 133 333 3.1 41 333 3.4 1 313 3.3 Seudr Antsa 13 433 355 433 331 1an ree 444333 Read to Lead A Wm; a Loewe Nahzn EDUCATION STATISTICS AT A GLANCE, 2019 Size of the Schooling System: Sector Public Learners: 12 408 755 Educators: 407 001 Schools: 23 076 Independent Total Learners Educators Schools 12 408 755 407 001 23 076 632 443 37 856 1 922 13 041 198 444 857 24 998 Official languages Learners English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, siSwati, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, South African Sign Language Public Independent Educators Public Schools Independent 15 Public Independent REGULATINS LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS • Aims to stop the spread of the COVID -19 virus and minimize the infections. • Anyone found in violation of the regulations will be fined or imprisoned • No person confirmed or suspected of virus may refuse medical examination, treatment, isolation or quarantine • Movement has been restricted, only if a close family member dies can you travel to the funeral and only 50 may attend • No alcohol and cigarettes sold • Schools closed until further notice after the lockdown. • Fake news a crime. • No public gatherings of more than 100 people • Emergency procurement policy for COVID-19 to assist all departments • Amendments introduced to relax transport rules for taxis, essentials for babies and movement of children of divorced couples with shared custody. 17 PILLARS OF THE SECTOR PLAN GUIDELINES ON SOCIAL DISTANCING The following are guidelines on social distancing: – Physical distances in classrooms includes not more than 2 learners sharing desks. – No hugging, handshaking and direct contact must be avoided. – Cloth masks to be worn by learners and teachers at all times. – No mass public events. All sports matches, choral practices and festivals, Eistedfods are not permitted. – Extra classes should be arranged in small groups that maintain social distancing. 19 SOCIAL DISTANCING IMPLICATIONS Infrastructure and Furniture • Sanitize classroom prior to start of school day • Sanitize hands on entering of classroom • Limit movement of learners between classes • No clustering of desks in classrooms Transport • Work with DoT to ensure that buses are sanitized prior to start of trip • Sanitize hands on entering of bus • Manage distance between learners in bus • Compulsory wearing of masks throughout the school day, starting before boarding transport 20 WATER AND SANTATION A A I A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN NEED OF EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY 1200 Total of 3 475 schools require assistance Number of Schools 1000 800 600 400 200 0 EC FS GP KZN LP MP NC Province 22 NW WC BREAKDOWN OF PROVINCIAL REQUESTS Approx. 1 000 requests for boreholes Approx 2 500 requests for water tanks, pipes & taps 23 REMEDIAL MEASURES 1. Provinces identified schools with critical water supply challenges. 2. Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS) initiated an Emergency Water Supply programme: a) That installs water tanks at critical supply points b) Then deliver portable water by water trucks to these tanks 3. DBE will participate in this initiative to get water tanks installed at the identified schools and to get potable water delivered to these tanks. 4. Following the latest liaison with Provinces, the revised figure is around 3 500 schools with critical water supply challenges. 24 BASIC SANITATION AND HYGIENE PACKAGE • A basic and essential hygiene and sanitation package has been developed, and provinces are procuring items. These include cleaning and disinfection materials, PPE, sanitizers, handwashing soap, gloves, cloth masks & thermometers. • The DBE has developed Guidelines for schools on maintaining hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide recommendations on the proper cleaning and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on risk exposure including: – Basic principles of infection prevention and control; – Risk reduction methods for schools, classrooms, toilets/bathrooms, offices, and food preparation arears; – Daily duties of cleaners; and – How to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 25 PROCUREMENT OF COVID – 19 ESSENTIALS • National Treasury [NT] has issued NT Instruction No. 3 of 2020/2021 which regulates the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] by government institutions: – Ordering is centralised at the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. – Imperial Health Sciences contracted by NT to procure items in bulk from outside the country quicker and at competitive prices and also deliver locally efficiently. – Provinces were expected to place orders already and all purchase orders were due by 20 April 2020. – Exploring procurement of PPE from local manufacturers. 26 SCREENING, TESTING & TRACING • Screening of learners and educators will be done at re-opening of schools starting with Grades 7 and 12 (temperature check). • Learners or staff members that present with raised temperature will then be considered for isolation and testing. 27 STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURES The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Containment and Management of COVID-19 for Childcare Facilities, Schools and School Communities (consulted with DOH and provinces) provide guidelines for all administrators on the steps to be undertaken in order to prevent the spread and manage cases of COVID-19 including: • Guidance for childcare facilities and schools on preventing the of spread of COVID-19; • Role of childcare facilities and schools in responding to COVID-19; • Management of COVID-19 Cases in a Childcare facility or School; • Guidelines for Heads of Departments and Supervisors on COVID-19: Procedure regarding employees; • Management and Monitoring of absenteeism; • Learner Transport measures; • Closure of a unit/component/office/department if an employee tested positive for COVID-19; and • How to clean educational establishments where there were learners, staff or others with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. 28 ORIENTATION AND TRAINING • The purpose of the orientation and training programme is to enable learners, educators and non-teaching staff to adjust to and become familiar with the special arrangements at schools following the outbreak of the corona virus in South Africa. • The orientation programme provides guidelines for interaction with learners, parents, educators and non-teaching staff in the school community. • All learners, educators and support staff will receive orientation and training at the start of the school reopening commencing with Grade 7 and 12. • The orientation and training programme/package will comprise: – a training manual – Video clips and an information booklet are the key resources to deliver the orientation programme – Posters and appropriate signage to direct teachers, learners and non-teaching staff on what to do. The orientation programme will be linked to a communication strategy and shared through: – Television and Radio Broadcasts – WhatsApp and other social media platforms – Websites of DBE, PEDs and Partners • 29 DRAFT AMENDED SCHOOL CALENDAR • • The original school calendar year started on 15 January 2020 and would have ended on 4 December 2020. The amended school calendar will end on 9 December 2020. The School Calendar for 2020 will be adjusted to have schools open on 4 May 2020 for teachers and 6 May for learners. The grades will be phased-in starting with Grades 7 and 12. The lost school days will be recovered by shortening the June holidays to 5 days and the September holidays to a long weekend in order to make up these days. The 4th term will also be lengthened to close on 9 December 2020 for learners and 11 December 2020 for teachers. Grade 12 and 7 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Start of Term • • 4 May 2020 Teachers 6 May 2020 for Learners • 3 August 2020 28 September 2020 End of Term • 26 July 2020 • 23 September 2020 • • • 1 week holiday from 29 June – 3 July 2020 • Long weekend holiday from 24 – 27 September 2020 December holiday • • • School days/Time lost (max) = 25 days/5 weeks Curriculum Coverage = 5 Weeks Teaching time at 7hrs/day = 175 hours Implications 9 December 2020 learners 11 December 2020 Teachers 30 CURRICULUM RECOVERY FRAMEWORK The Framework is guided by the following principles: a) Responsiveness to the National Covid19 Programme- the national regulations, programme and protocols are strictly adhered b) Inclusion and Equity- all learners and particularly the most vulnerable access the planned programmes. c) Targeted Approach - taking cognizance of the unique needs of schools, phases and grades. d) Size and Scope- curriculum plans are determined in a flexible way guided by the size and the scope of the crisis, a short or long lockdown, and the implications that this will have on teaching and learning. e) Partnerships- ensuring full participation and ownership of all key stakeholders. f) Safety and Security- maintaining the safety, health, and well-being of teachers, learners and support staff. g) Time Management- time is of the essence in the recovery plan and hence time must be strictly managed at school level h) Quality- the priority will be on quality teaching and learning and a focus on skills, knowledge and values i) Nationally co-ordinated approach- the Department of Basic Education will provide clear directives of what is expected of each provincial education department and compliance to these directives will be monitored 31 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CURRICULUM IMPLICATIONS STRATEGY/ RECOMMENDATIONS Curriculum Coverage Curriculum Review • Curriculum reorganisation and trimming (except for Grade 12); • Annual teaching plans amended for each grade and each subject; • Fundamental skills and concepts for each grade will be retained; • Content in Life Orientation/Skills will be rearranged to address personal hygiene, self-study skills, emotional and psychological trauma; • Every lesson should contribute 5 minutes teaching awareness on COVID-19. 32 PHASING IN APPROACH Public Ordinary/Special Schools of Skill SID Schools Schools Special Care Centres (LSPID) Tentative Dates Grades 12 and 7 Year 4 Grades 11 and 6 Year 3 Grade 6 20 May 2020 Grades 10 and 5 Year 2 Grade 5 03 June 2020 Grades 9 and 4 Year 1 Grade 4 17 June 2020 06 May 2020 Grades 8 and 3 Grade 3 Year 3 01 July 2020 Grades 2 and 1 Grade 1 and 2 Year 2 08 July 2020 Grades R Grade R Year 1 15 July 2020 33 IMPLICATIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS a) b) c) d) e) f) g) The Grade 12 will be expected to write the set fully fledged examinations, based on covering the entire curriculum and other grades will be given a reworked curriculum and assessed on 80%. The May/June Exams for the National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) will be combined with the October /November Exams and rescheduled for November/December 2020. Marking of examination scripts will run up to end of December 2020. Moderation, standardisation and release of the results will be moved to mid/ end of January 2021. SBA will have to be calculated minus the May/June exams. Grade 12 will still write preparatory examinations in September. The November/December examination time table will have to be amended accordingly. 34 SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE COMBINED EXAMINATION June June November Concurrent June Examinations Examination Examinations (FT /November (NSC) (SC) and PT) Examination EC 22025 17 888 100463 140 376 FS 5304 6 775 36445 48 524 GP 21722 43 847 153975 219 544 KZ 44877 26 060 184570 255 507 LP 34355 18 134 125930 178 419 MP 18377 12 662 70901 101 940 NW 10346 15 251 39338 64 935 NC 4857 5 493 13538 23 888 WC 13149 19 319 62557 95 025 National 175012 165 429 787717 1 128 158 Province 35 PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT • • • • An increase in social, mental, psychological and emotional difficulties amongst learners, educators and officials, is anticipated due to losses and trauma experienced through Covid 19. Schools as social institutions are serviced by the Psychosocial Support Services of the Departments of Social Development and Health. In addition to these, the Basic Education Sector has psychologists and social workers who had prior training on counseling. They will be able to use their skills to support schools. Guidance to provinces, districts and schools include: – Development of context-specific provincial plans; – All schools to have list of contact details for available free counselling, to be redistributed via the various communication platforms; – Utilise all available capacity including in special schools; – Provinces to leverage capacity of social partners and HEIs offering social work and psychology to expand services to schools; and – Ensure functionality of school-based and district-based support teams. 36 QUALITY LEARNING AND TEACHING CAMPAIGN (QLTC) • Drive the back to school Campaign. • Deal with anxiety and fears in communities and going back to school. • Strengthen the interface between schools and broader society. • Strengthen collaboration between the Basic Education sector, Department of Social Development and Health. • Strengthen the link between schools and homes of learners who have to receive education at home and workers who have to work from home. 37 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY 1. To ensure that communities, parents, teachers and learners know and understand the problem at hand and the standards of care expected. 2. To ensure that service providers in education understand their role in keeping schools safe. 3. To manage the fake news about the re-opening of schools and COVID19 uncertainties. 4. To regularly showcase the successes of the sector in schools back to business. 5. To support schools in strengthening their communication with parents and local communities. 6. To manage the flow of awareness messages from the Department of Health to the Head Office, Districts, Circuits and Schools. 7. To use communication to promote de-stigmatisation of the COVID-19 cases within the sector. 38 ICT AS THE NEW NORMAL Coronavirus (COVID-19) forced many around the world to rethink our daily lives from work to school to entertainment. In response to travel bans, school closures, and recommendations to not gather in large groups and social distancing from fellow humans to limit the spread of the virus, many people turned to digital tools to keep some semblance of normality. It's been imperative to digitally transform our places of work and education to be able to operate effectively. PRE-LOCKDOWN METHODS CURRICULUM DELIVERY Classroom teaching LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY KEY CONSIDERATIONS Broadcasting (Radio, Television, you tube, Facebook live) Virtual digital classrooms Online content  Digital platforms (MS Teams, Zoom, Google hangout)   MEETING/WORKSHOPS Boardroom GENERAL OFFICE WORK Office Bound work Remote server access for secure applications  Security (applications and information) Limited assessment on broadcasting (revision only) High data costs (economic impact) High bandwidth connectivity (Propoor strategy) Key Focus areas • Security and data costs, analytics • Remote Learning Real time quality data and predictive Virtual events (conferences, lectures, webinars, podcasts 39 NON NEGOTIABLES (PRE-CONDITIONS) FOR THE REOPENING OF SCHOOLS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. COVID -19 essentials (Basic Sanitation & Hygiene Package). Water & Sanitation (Mobile facilities to replace pit latrines). Cleaners (EPWP). Screeners ( EPWP). Additional teaching posts to deal with overcrowding (No class should have more than 40 learners). 6. Additional substitute posts to replace staff due to long illness. 7. Provision of mobile classrooms to deal with overcrowding as temporary measure. 8. Incubation Camps for progressed and weaker learners (Grade 12). 40 RSA RISK ADJUSTED STRATEGY 1? . ?0 .14PLAN 2030 MATRIX FOR LEVELS OF RESTRIC Ongoingfeedback loop informs decisionto remain ata particular level, relax restrictions further, or return toa higher level of restriction. Level 1 Low virus spread, high health system readiness Level 2 Moderate virus spread, with high readiness Moderate virus spread, with moderate Levels readiness Level 4 Moderate to high vrrus spread, With low to Leve 5 moderate readiness High virus spread, and/or low readiness Read to Lead SUMMARY OF ALERT ALERT ALERT ALERT LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL Drastic measures Extreme Restrictions on Physical Most normal to contain the precautions to many activities. distancing activity can spread of the limit community including at and restrictions resume. with virus and transmission workplaces on leisure and precautions and save lives. and outbreaks. and socially. social activities to health guidelines while allowing to address a prevent iollowed at all some activity to high risk of a resurgence of tithes. rest-rte. transmission. the virus. mum prepared for an increase in alert levels if necessary. SECTORS Sectors Perm itte d: Transport Restrictions: Level 5 Only Bsent?nl Services Buses. taxis and e-haiIng vehicles may operate at restricted times. Leve I 4 Food retail stores can sell full range of previous SKth- Al agriculture- Mhing open cast 8: all other 50% Financial 8: professional services. Al bushess sewices for export markets. Postal 8- Telecoms services. Fibre optic IT services. Waste Recycling- Buses. taxis and e-haillng vehicles can operate at all times of the day. Level 3 Takeoaway restaurants 8: onlhe food delivery. Liquor sales- Clothing hardware retail- Stationery. personal electronics o?ice eq uiprnent. Ecornmerce 8: delivery services- Auton'iocive man?cturirg- Chenials. Bottling. Cement 8: steel- Global business services. Limited domestic air travel - restriction on the of ?ights per day and authorisation of need required. Level 2 Construction. All other retail. All other manufacturing. All mines l00%. All government services. Installation. repa'rs maintenance- Dornestic work and cleanhg services. lrrl?orrnal waste pickers. Full domestic air travel and car rental sewices restored- 44 Level I All Sectors All mod 6 transport. How the alert system works The level of alert at any given time will be decided based on the rate of transmission. as well as the capacity of the health system to provide care to those infected. Different parts of the country may be at different levels simultaneously. It is possible to move up and down levels. as well as skip levels if necessary. Essential goods and services will continue to be available at all levels. Some precautions will remain in place at all levels. including social distancing guidlines and safe hygiene practices. 45 PRE-CONDITIONS FOR RESUMING ACTIVITY • Identification and protection of vulnerable learners and employees • Safe transport for learners and employees • Screening of learners and employees on entering institutions and the workplace • Prevention of viral spread in the workplace • Cleaning of surfaces and shared equipment • Good ventilation • Managing sick learners and employees 46 RULES FOR OPERATION • Offices and Institutions are encouraged to adopt a work-from-home strategy where possible, and all staff who can work remotely must be allowed to do so. • Workers above the age of 60, as well as workers with comorbidities identified by the Department of Health should be offered a work-fromhome option or allowed to remain on leave with full pay. • There should be workplace protocols in place that would include disease surveillance and prevention of the spread of infection. • All offices and institutions must screen employees and learners on a daily basis for symptoms of COVID-19, including a symptom check as well as temperature assessment. • All learners and employees must use a cloth mask especially where social distancing is not possible. • Offices and institutions must have sanitizers available or hand washing facilities with soap. • Stringent social distancing measures should be implemented in the offices and institutions. 47 30m~02l CONCLUSION It?! ~00 billion? (Le . Hi0 Axx?uuga :1 mm, PA Website: www.education.gov.za Call Centre: 0800 202 933 callcentre@dbe.gov.za witter: @DBE_SA Facebook: DBE SA 50