Final year students in secondary schools in South Africa will on Monday resume classes after a one-week break.

President Cyril Ramaphosa closed all schools last week to limit the spread of coronavirus after a surge in cases among learners, but said they will be gradually reopened over three weeks.

Final year students in secondary schools, Grade 12, will be first to resume classes on Monday, followed by final year students in primary schools, Grade seven, on 10 August.

Other learners will resume classes on 24 August

Education department spokesperson told local TV channel eNCA that the break had enabled the authorities to tighten measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in schools:

[ON AIR] Matrics go back to school today. Grade 7s will join them next week. For more on this @XoliMngambi speaks to
the department's spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/oHUGDxidWx

— eNCA (@eNCA) August 3, 2020

The country has passed the half a million mark of infections and has more than half of the total infections in Africa.