Oakhill's ECD on the go again

KNYSNA NEWS - While other early childhood development (ECD) centres in Knysna have been open for a few weeks, Oakhill School was able to welcome their pre-preparatory learners to their ECD centre on Tuesday 26 January for the first time this year.

To allay concerns that this contravenes the ruling that schools may only reopen on 15 February, a number of government ECD centres fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Social Development (DSD) and not the Department of Basic Education (DBE), which governs primary and high schools.

Only government ECD centres affiliated to primary schools are governed by the DBE, the others are governed by the DSD. In instances such as Oakhill, they are independent schools under the authority of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (Isasa).

This means that ECD centres governed by Isasa and the DSD are allowed to open prior to 15 February.

Rohan Barnes (Grade R) greeting teacher Daleen Halton. Photos: Supplied