Picture (Courtesy of Citizen): Deputy Minister Buti Manamela
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela is expected to visit various tertiary institutions across the country to assess the state of readiness for the phased return of students and staff to campuses, the department said in a statement on Thursday.
Manamela will kick-start his series of visits on Friday by visiting the University of Johannesburg (Kingsway campus) and makes his way to the Ekurhuleni West Campus in Germiston later on. The department’s media liaison officer, Mandla Tshabalala said Manamela will visit the Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark next week Monday before heading to the Sedibeng College in Vereeniging.
“Manamela will visit institutions of higher learning to monitor the state of readiness for the phased return to campus of students and staff under Level 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on all aspects of life and work, including the Post-School Education and Training sector.
“Specifically, teaching and learning have been severely impacted as a result of the suspension of contact classes. On 23 May 2020, Minister Blade Nzimande announced the phased re-opening of campus activities. As a result, the sector has to continue to implement a risk-adjusted strategy which will support Teaching and Learning and Campus Readiness Plans,” said Tshabalala.
He added that Manamela will conclude his visit to the Gert Sibanda FET College (Standerton campus) in Mpumalanga.
Universities and TVET colleges have begun preparations to welcome back students to campuses. The Deputy Minister will visit institutions to monitor readiness.
The Guardian 