To Open Or Not To Open, That Is The Question

Nick Spaull, senior researcher at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Economics, and Jonathan Jansen, distinguished professor of education at the same university, each argue their case for and against the complete reopening of schools.

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Should schools reopen fully?

Yes, says Nic Spaull (NS).

No, says Professor Jonathan Jansen (JJ).

NS: Schools provide essential meals to hungry children. When schools were open and operational, they provided a nutritious meal to 9 million children every day.

JJ: Schools cannot solve the deep structural problems in society and the economy. When schools are closed (vacations, weekends and lockdown), children still need to be fed. Solve the problem of household poverty.

NS: You cannot reopen the economy without reopening schools. There are 4.5 million essential workers in South Africa and 650 000 healthcare workers who are on the front lines, dealing with the pandemic. If schools are closed, what must happen to their children while they are at work?

JJ: Working class families have always juggled jobs and childcare, long before the pandemic. There is a rich resource of familial and friendship networks in poor communities that support children while parents work. This is nothing new.