The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and the National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA (Naptosa), amongst other unions, say as the department prepares for the reopening of schools, it is paramount that the health and safety of teachers and learners are prioritised. 

The unions say the department needs to ensure that by the time schools reopen, there is adequate infrastructure, those that have been vandalised during the lockdown are fixed, that there are sanitisers, and that schools are disinfected. The call by the unions comes just days after Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, announced that no learner will be going to school as of Monday morning (May 4) and that they are anticipating the phasing in of education to take place from 1 June with Grade 12 and Grade 7 learners.

Schools and higher education institutions were closed on 18 March before the actual term closure as part of the strategy to curb the spread of the coronavirus. 

In a joint statement, the unions say it is concerning that the number of Covid-19 positive cases is increasing and that it is crucial for the department to ensure that learners and teachers will be safe by the time schools reopen.

The number of positive cases countrywide now stands at 6783 with 131 deaths. 

Following the briefing by Motshekga, the unions are requesting an urgent meeting to discuss plans for the reopening of schools.

OFM News