Update

KNYSNA | PLETTENBERG BAY SCHOOLS - Schools in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay have been battling through the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has taken a toll on educational institutions.

Greenwood Bay College in Plettenberg Bay saw some withdrawals during 2020, mainly for financial reasons, with the greatest number at pre-primary level, according to brand sales and marketing manager for Advtech Schools, Marthie van der Wat. 

"The school did try to assist parents who struggle due to the realities of Covid-19 as far and as long as possible," she said. 

"However, as a result of our offerings at the school, we also saw an increase in demand ... with the majority of enquiries coming from families residing outside of the Garden Route area."

For Knysna Primary School, the school's income has been significantly impacted, according to principal Ivor White. "The government supplied us with personal protective equipment (PPE), but for us to function as normally as possible and to the best of our abilities, to ensure sufficient class time for our learners, we bought extra PPE. We have no extra income other than school fees at this time. No facilities are rented out, no tuck shop, no swimming etc. 

"Parents are struggling to pay school fees as they are also immensely influenced by this pandemic."

Innovative
Knysna High School has used innovative ways to ensure they retain every member of staff without making any retrenchments. "With the lack of sports and arts activities in 2020, we have been able to reallocate that funding to other academic needs of the school," says the principal, Mark Mosdell.

"We provided students who didn't have internet access with data to be able to work remotely, and have found ways to reallocate our sports personnel to other jobs that we needed done within the school to ensure they can still get paid their full salaries. 

"The school's been hit hard, but we've sought to look outside the box and find new ways to go forward in 2021."

Oakhill School has also felt the impact of the pandemic, but, says marketing manager Karine Trollip, they have budgeted for the circumstances and have reduced expenses where possible to counter the current economic climate. The school has also been aided in its earlier investment in online educational offerings such as EdTech and Google Education. 

"This allowed for the ease of access to blended learning during the various stages of lockdown," Trollip says. "With no loss of academic time in 2020, our pupils have continued their learning and this has attracted new families to the school."

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