The Congress of South African Students is against the decision for independent schools to be allowed to open their doors from 1 February, two weeks before public schools. 
The organisation believes this move is arrogant and furthers inequality in the country and has vowed to challenge the decision in the court.
It has also vowed to shutdown all schools which opened before 1 February, saying it believes the facilities are driven by profit and not concerned about the health of pupils.
Last Friday the Department of Basic Education released a notice in the Government Gazette stipulating that independent schools were allowed to operate two weeks prior to the 15 February date announced for public schools.
According to the notice, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga stated that private schools were not allowed to open earlier than the beginning of February.
But COSAS says every school in South Africa should open on 15 February, with no exception for a select few.