The South African Public School System, Education In Crisis: A Review of Our COVID19 Response

Abstract

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the world's poorest communities and highlighted several systemic imbalances, leaving nations vulnerable and destitute. Taking a worldwide perspective on the influence on the right to education, this article analyzes how the South African education systems responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we swiftly transition to distance education, we must also ensure that we are not caught off guard again. Education systems worldwide must begin long-term planning and construction of distance education systems in order to be prepared for the inevitable next emergency. If COVID-19 teaches us anything, it is that distance education cannot be a “nice to have” supplement to the existing educational system; it must be a “must have,” integrated, and indispensable component of the total educational system. The findings indicated that governments have an uneven capacity for responding to and preparing for the learning losses associated with school closures. We concluded that it is critical to articulate inclusive educational policies that support strengthening the government's response capacity, particularly in terms of access to technology, electricity, connectivity, ICT devices, learning materials and technology adapted curriculum and educator training all in addressing the countries response to educational crisis and eventually embracing the opportunity of stirring the education sector into the fourth industrial revolution.