Covid-19: Edu Dept signs agreement on teachers with comorbidities

THE Limpopo Department of Education has signed a collective agreement with the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), for a concession process to be followed for teachers who have comorbidities.

The agreement on comorbidities was signed on Saturday, 30 May, and included a form that qualifying teachers will use to apply and attach a medical report by a doctor.

The application will be adjudicated by the Health Risk Manager.

Education Spokesperson Tidimalo

Chuene told Polokwane Observer that the document is aimed at providing guidelines to evaluate and manage vulnerable employees in the school environment, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A concession in this instance refers to any employee of the department, with any underlying condition that poses a higher risk of complication if they contract Covid-19.

“For employees with high-risk comorbidities it is required that the department puts appropriate measures in place to provide them with a safe working environment.”

The agreement allows employees who have previously indicated to having comobidities to fill out a individual risk assessment form, which needs to be accompanied by a medical certificate from a doctor that confirms the comorbidity.

The Department of Health has classified some comorbidities as high-risk to assist in classifying the employees vulnerabilities, which include teachers over the age of 60.

Teachers with cormobidities who have not been included in the classification need to attach an additional motivation from their medical practitioner on why they are vulnerable to Covid-19.

This review process can take up to 30 days where the teacher will be allowed to work from home with full pay, before a decision is made.

Chuene says concessions granted in this regard will only be valid for level two and three of the nationwide lockdown.

In a press briefing by Education MEC,

Polly Boshielo, she exclaimed that the department had 720 excess teachers,

100 ad hoc teachers 115 substitute posts that will be filled by the gap created as a result of those who have comorbidities.

“Districts have databases of unemployed teachers and applications will be invited from them and other qualifying teachers to fill the gaps where necessary.”

According to Boshielo, the department has already developed a learner health questionnaire on comorbidities that was sent to schools for parents and guardians to complete, sign off and return to schools in which they either disclose any chronic illness or declare the health status of their children.

“This is done to ensure that the department can provide educational support in case there might be affected learners in this area,” Chuene said.