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On 21 October Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Basic Education, published new regulations in the Government Gazette lifting the ban on extramural school activities, subject to certain COVID-19 safety regulations. This follows after AfriForum on 22 September sent a reminder in this regard to the Department and requested the Minister to lift the unfounded suspension.

In terms of the new regulations all non-contact sports training, matches and activities, as well as arts and culture activities in schools may continue from 21 October. No spectators are allowed. Contact sports training may also be resumed.

AfriForum’s reminder follows after a memorandum was distributed to Gauteng schools that all types of sport will be suspended for the rest of the year.

Ronald Peters, AfriForum’s Manager of Sport, says the total wellbeing of young people were not taken into account at all with the original decision. “We therefore regard the new regulations as a huge victory for each learner wanting to particpate in extramural activities. Sport and other extramural activities play an integral role in learners’ wellbeing and provide a sense of normality after the whole school year was disrupted due to the government’s handling of the pandemic.”

Issued by AfriForum