According to a media statement, the province has established 29 vaccination sites across the province with 16 vaccination sites fully operational and the other 13 sites scheduled to open on Thursday and Friday. 

Andries Esau, a principal in Upington, urges his fellow educators to get vaccinated and to get informed about it.

“I’ve been vaccinated yesterday and before that I was a little sceptical, but afterwards with a lot of information at my disposal, I made the choice to lead by example. I know that with this third wave, being vaccinated will help our teachers to be prepared so that in the event that they do contract Covid-19, it will not be as severe as for example the one I had last year from September to October,” says Esau.

The MEC for Education in the Province, Zolile Monakali, says that although the province recorded the lowest numbers of vaccinations in the country, one should also bear in mind that the province has the lowest staff compliment number compared to other provinces.  

“Although the vaccination is voluntary, we want to sincerely encourage our educators to take the vaccine and overcome possible hesitancy. This is a concern to the department as this programme is aimed to safeguard the lives of our educators and support staff at schools against Covid-19. This pandemic has had a huge negative impact on the learning and teaching environment in schools and our recovery plan requires educators and support staff to be at schools on a daily basis,” Monakali says. 

Leaders in education offices, teacher unions, principals and teachers led by example on Wednesday by taking the vaccine with an understanding that side effects are minimal, compared to the agony, hospitalisation and possibility of death that comes with Covid-19. “We trust that more educators and staff will rather choose the route of vaccination,” Monakali adds.

OFM News previously reported that the MEC of Health, Maruping Lekwene, together with the HODs of the Departments of Education and Health, announced the province's readiness to distribute vaccines to vaccinate a total of 16 100 persons over the next 14 days. The roll-out commenced on Wednesday 23 June 2021 and will continue until Thursday 8 July 2021, a day prior to the closure of schools marking the end of the second term.

OFM News/Blaine Jones