WCED stands firm against disruptions

Department says it will not accept such behaviour, vows to report incidents to police

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has threatened to lodge a complaint with police against anyone who attempts to shut down schools, following a number of disruptions yesterday.

Members of the Congress of SA Students (Cosas) forcefully closed Gordon High School in Somerset West, alleging the school was not complying with Covid-19 regulations. The organisation said it also planned to protest and close affected schools in the surrounding areas, including Strand.

The student body’s acting provincial secretary, Mphumzi Giwu, said it was “their responsibility to protect the lives of pupils”.

Giwu said their concerns had been ignored by school heads and the WCED. “Two teachers and a pupil tested positive for the virus and the school only closed for a day.

“They should have allowed them to stay at home for at least two days. Concerned pupils who informed us about this say they didn’t even know their fellow classmate tested positive until they were told to return to school the following day.

“That is why we are also saying that all other grades must stay at home and the focus must be on grades 12 and 7. They must all be tested. Those who test positive must be sent for quarantine to camp sites to finish their academic year,” said Giwu.

A group of pupils from schools in Thembalethu, George, also attempted to stop learning at schools in the area.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the disruptions were unnecessary and harmful. “Gordon High School has followed all the relevant protocols in terms of managing a Covid-19 case in their school. The school was decontaminated and the relevant health procedures followed.

“No one has been told to come back with Covid-19, as it is being claimed. The principal has locked the gates to deny access. Police were also contacted,” said Hammond.

She said in Thembalethu other schools were alerted to possible disruptions and shut their gates.

“Schools remained open for teaching and learning. One primary school closed early due to the noise at 12.30pm. Again, if a parent wishes to not send their child to school, they may apply to do so. It is irresponsible to deny the rights of those that wish to send their children to school.

“We cannot have people forcefully entering school grounds. Our schools follow strict health and safety protocols and this kind of behaviour puts everyone at risk.

“We will no longer accept such behaviour. Anyone who disrupts a school, prevents learners from accessing the school or prevents staff from performing their duties will be reported to SAPS,” said Hammond.

AS THE government prepares for a rise in Covid-19 infections, it should also work very hard to stop disruptions by those hell-bent on blocking the return of pupils to schools.

Law enforcement agencies should also crack down on the activities of the illegitimate business forums that are disrupting the delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE) to schools in KwaZulu-Natal.

At the Department of Basic Education briefing on Sunday, almost all the education MECs pleaded with community members to stop preventing pupils from going to school.

Western Cape education MEC Debbie Schäfer, Gauteng’s Panyaza Lesufi and Kwazi Mshengu of KZN cautioned community members against stopping the return of the next cohort of pupils to schools throughout the country.

We agree with Lesufi’s argument that those who don’t feel comfortable sending their children to school have the right to choose to teach them at home.

They should also not stand in the way of those parents who have decided to send their children to school.

At the same briefing, Mshengu did not mince his words against KZN business forums that are threatening to use strong-arm tactics to disrupt the delivery of PPE to schools unless they are given a portion of the business. He said the hardest-hit areas were uMlazi and Pinetown.

SANDF members who are already on the ground should work with the police to ensure that such disruptions are not given space to flourish.

It would be an unmitigated disaster if Covid-19 cases show an upward trend in some schools due to criminal elements that are blocking the delivery of PPE to pupils.

We urge the members of the forums involved in this illegal practice to use appropriate methods to tender for government contracts.

Such threats of anarchy and violence are not needed, especially at a time when the entire country should be focusing on flattening the curve of Covid-19 infections.