This, as Minister Angie Motshekga is soon expected to announce her department's plans for the re-opening of schools. Motshekga, in her last address, said the re-opening of schools will gradually be phased in with the first group to return to schools being the Grade 12s and 7s. 

The National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, however, says most schools have not yet received personal protective equipment (PPE) and need more time to prepare for pupils. The union says many of the provinces, including the ones with low Covid-19 positive cases, have indicated that they are not ready for the re-opening and rushing into it would be reckless. 

The union's Basil Manuel in a statement highlights that it would be unacceptable to send teachers and pupils back to schools without minimum precautionary measures being put in place. 

Human rights advocacy groups, Section 27, together with Equal Education, amongst others, have also called for clarity on the re-opening of schools stating that inconsistent and contradictory information from the Basic Education Department has caused much confusion and anxiety. The organisations in a joint statement says learners, teachers, and caregivers need comprehensive plans from Motshekga this Thursday. 

The South African Democratic Teachers Union, the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa, the National Teachers’ Union, the Professional Educators Union and the SA Onderwysersunie have highlighted that they, amongst others, expect Motshekga to also announce plans for social distancing in classrooms, the provisions of masks to teachers and learners, the deep cleaning of classrooms before the start of the school each day, as well as the sanitising of hands before entering the classroom.

The unions also said the provision of water and ablution was behind schedule and that Motshekga will have to outline plans in this regard.

The unions said provinces must use this week to ensure schools have Covid-19 essentials and have been disinfected. Thereafter the school management teams can report to work on May 18.

OFM News