The one-size-fits-all approach taken by the government in planning the reopening of schools is "irrational and arbitrary" and puts into danger the lives of pupils, teachers and families, according to the National Association of Parents in School Governance, also acting on behalf of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas).
In an affidavit by Mahlomola Kekana, the association's president, he said Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga's plan to reopen schools was not only vague, but would put pupils and teachers in danger of succumbing to Covid-19.
Kekana added poor school infrastructure, implementing social distancing, testing and protective equipment, staffing levels, consultation with all parties, sanitation and transport all posed a problem to reopening the schools.
Where pupils greatly outnumber teachers, Kekana asked how social distancing would be enforced in these environments, including playgrounds and travelling to and from school.
Kekana said it was disturbing that parents, pupils and governing bodies were not consulted regarding measures to fight the virus in schools, protecting pupils with pre-existing conditions, protecting pupils who came from homes with family who have pre-existing conditions and how vandalised schools would be fixed.
