President Ramaphosa’s offhand remark about closing schools for two years sparked national outrage, with parents, teachers, and advocacy groups criticizing the comment as insensitive given the lasting impact of past pandemic-related learning disruptions.

A recent remark by President Cyril Ramaphosa has ignited a firestorm of debate across South Africa, leaving parents, educators, and policymakers stunned and scrambling for clarity.

While speaking at a Presidential Imbizo in the Western Cape, Ramaphosa made an offhand comment suggesting that perhaps schools should have been closed for two years to allow children to “rest.” Though likely made in jest, the statement landed with a thud—and for many, it hit a nerve.

The President’s exact words were delivered during a public engagement aimed at discussing education reform, youth development, and socioeconomic challenges in South Africa.

In addressing concerns about student stress and educational burnout, Ramaphosa quipped that “maybe we should have closed the schools for two years to let the children rest.”

The audience responded with a mix of laughter and surprise, but the remark quickly went viral online, triggering a wave of reactions that ranged from outrage to disbelief.

For millions of South Africans who lived through the devastating educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the idea of closing schools again—joking or not—felt deeply unsettling.

During the pandemic, children lost critical learning time, with many in under-resourced areas falling behind academically, socially, and emotionally. The digital divide made remote learning inaccessible to thousands, and the resulting gaps are still being felt in classrooms today.

Social media was quick to respond, with hashtags like #NoToSchoolClosure and #EducationIsEssential trending within hours.

Parents and teachers expressed frustration that such a comment could be made lightly, especially given the very real struggles students and educators have faced since 2020.

“It’s not funny,” one parent wrote on Twitter. “My child is still trying to catch up after missing a year of proper schooling, and now this?”

Educators, too, were caught off guard. Many felt the remark undermined the incredible efforts made by teachers during the pandemic—those who worked tirelessly, often without support, to ensure some form of education continued despite limited resources and mounting personal risk.

One principal from a township school in Gauteng said, “We lost two students to suicide during lockdown because of stress and disconnection. Suggesting more time away from school, even as a joke, is beyond tone-deaf.”

However, some defended the President, arguing that his comment was clearly tongue-in-cheek and taken out of context. “Anyone watching the full video would understand he was making a point about how overburdened our children are,” said one supporter.

“It was about starting a conversation, not making policy.” Still, even those who interpreted it as a joke acknowledged that in the realm of public leadership—especially when discussing education—words carry weight.

The remark comes at a particularly sensitive time. South Africa’s education system continues to grapple with post-pandemic challenges: overcrowded classrooms, underqualified teachers, lack of infrastructure, and mounting pressure on learners to perform.

National assessments have shown alarming declines in literacy and numeracy, especially among early grade learners. Calls for systemic reform have been growing louder, and many argue the focus should be on recovery—not hypothetical shutdowns.

The Department of Basic Education has not issued an official statement addressing the President’s comment, but several education advocacy groups have voiced their concerns.

Equal Education, a prominent NGO, stated that “even rhetorical suggestions of extended school closures send the wrong message and risk undermining confidence in the public education system.”

Meanwhile, teacher unions have urged the President to clarify his position and reinforce the importance of consistent schooling.

Ramaphosa has long spoken about the value of education, often citing it as the cornerstone of South Africa’s development.

His administration has committed to expanding access to early childhood education, digitizing learning environments, and improving school safety.

But critics argue that progress has been slow and uneven, with rural and marginalized communities continuing to suffer the most.

The backlash over this latest comment underscores a growing fatigue among South Africans—many of whom feel that their children’s futures are hanging in the balance.

While humor and informal exchanges are common in town hall-style meetings like the Imbizo, the topic of education remains too sensitive for missteps.

For families still living with the aftershocks of interrupted schooling, the idea of further closures—no matter how absurd—feels like a slap in the face.

In the days since the statement, the Presidency has yet to issue a follow-up or clarification, leaving many to interpret the silence as either indifference or oversight.

Meanwhile, the education conversation continues, with parents demanding real solutions to overcrowded classrooms and outdated curriculums, not rhetorical provocations.

Whether meant as a joke or a challenge to reflect on the system’s flaws, Ramaphosa’s comment has certainly reignited national discourse around education—and reminded the country just how raw the wounds of the past few years still are.

In a nation where access to learning is deeply tied to future opportunity, the idea of turning off the lights in classrooms for even one more day feels anything but funny.