Responding to questions as to whether schools will have enough teachers as the department plans to phase in more grades, Motshekga said provincial departments will make substitutions where necessary and is confident no province will sit with a shortage of teachers.

A concession agreement between the department of education, teacher unions and the Education Labour Relations Council, which contains procedures to be followed when dealing with educators with comorbidities, permits teachers to stay at home while they wait for approval.

In a written reply to the DA, Motshekga highlights that some teachers will be allowed to work from home and that the number of educators who work from home, will be finalised once the process of approving and granting all concessions has been completed.

Whilst the majority of teachers who have declared co-morbidities are in Gauteng and the Western Cape, Motshekga says all provinces have been directed to provide a substitute where needed.

She said the provision of a substitute and the type of a substitute provided, will depend on the extent of work the educator is able to accomplish at home.

"This may range from a fully qualified substitute to fully replace an educator at home to a teacher aid or assistant that will act under the guidance of the educator at home, or another educator present at school," said Motshekga.       

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