MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
STATEMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES BY THE
POST SCHOOL EDUCATION SECTOR IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
EPIDEMIC
COVID-19 has disrupted the 2020 academic year, but as we committed
in our April 30 media briefing, we have been working hard during this
month of May towards saving the academic year whilst saving lives.
The pandemic has presented us all with a set of unprecedented
challenges, and we have been intensely engaging with all our
2
stakeholders to save the 2020 academic year whilst simultaneously
continuing to focus on the transformation and expansion of opportunities
in the post school education and training system (PSET).
I would like to express my gratitude to the exemplary leadership provided
by President Ramaphosa and my colleagues at the National Command
Council (NCC) in guiding our work at this difficult time.
I also remain humbled by the commitment of all members of the Ministerial
Task Team, led by Deputy Minister Buti Manamela comprising of SACPO,
USAf, Labour Unions, SAUS and SAFETSA. The task team has been
playing an important role in finding creative and equitable solutions in the
interests of all our students and staff in the PSET sector.
I also would like to acknowledge the role played by the leadership of the
various trade unions organizing in our sector, especially our Labour
Unions, represented by NEHAWU, SADTU, NTEU, PSA, SAPTU and
NAPTOSA, as we collectively seek solutions to deal with this pandemic.
In our recent engagements with the unions, they raised a number of
important issues and suggestions, including how they think health and
safety measures needs to be strengthened in all of our institutions. Arising
out of this we have decided to help convene a consultative meeting
specifically between management and union representatives in the
sector.
DOWNLOAD STATEMENT
