Covid-19 Academic Recovery Plan challenged in court

SAfm — The Basic Education Department has argued that the Polokwane High Court has no jurisdiction to rule over the constitutionality of its Covid-19 Academic Recovery Plan. The Tebeila Institute of Leadership is applying to have the plan declared unconstitutional as it could expose children to contracting the Coronavirus. The department has also argued that the matter should not be heard as an urgent matter, as the plan outlines that learners may only return to school in June. The Institute has counter argued that although the plan was unveiled in Pretoria, the Polokwane High court can rule on it as its implications will affect all South Africans. The Institute also insists that the matter should be ruled upon as urgent. The hearing continues. We spoke to our reporter Pimani Baloyi