Maimane slams reopening of schools: Cries of the poor 'forgotten'

- One SA leader Mmusi Maimane has once again lashed out over the reopening of schools

- This comes as the Covid-19 infections in the education sector are on the rise

- Maimane acknowledged that wealthy schools may well be prepared, but said the concern is the schools who are not equipped to handle the situation

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One SA leader and activist Mmusi Maimane has once again condemned the government for moving ahead with plans to allow more grades to return to school amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Briefly.co.za reported that the Department of Education had announced that fewer grades will be back in the classroom on Monday.

This plan, including the return of Grade R children, has received immense criticism with infections reported in over 700 schools since the beginning of June.

Now, Maimane has once again raised his voice over the matter urging the state to reconsider:

"Bagaetsho. We are putting tremendous stress on our learners, by asking them to prepare for exams in the most stressful and dangerous environment. We are led by a department that changes its decisions, our teachers are worried. Surely schools must be closed to get through this storm."

READ ALSO: Angie Motshekga: Politicians meet online but kids must go to school

Maimane agreed that 'wealthy' schools most likely had the means to ensure they are prepared to receive more learners.

The politician argued that the greater concern is poorer schools which lack basic infrastructure in the first place:

"My greatest pain in all of this is that today we now have a government that seems to have forgotten the cries of the poor. Look, many wealthy schools are ready, they have all the infrastructure. This is not the discussion, the discussion is about the poor kids and I warn in this time when the cries of the poor in our nation are ignored our nation is doomed."

Maimane pleaded with the government to reconsider its 'senseless' plan to expose the education system to the virus as SA heads towards peak infections.

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Source: Briefly News