Gauteng school reopens despite staff members being in quarantine

Norkem Park High School’s 82 staff members – including 63 teachers as well as the ground staff – are in quarantine and were unable to report for work on the reopening of schools on Monday.

Their 14-day quarantine period, which started on 1 June, is due to one of the teachers having tested positive for Covid-19, reports Kempton Express.

As a result, the Grade 12 pupils were welcomed back to school by members of the department of education and members of the school governing body (SGB).

According to Roy Mkhonza, chairperson of the SGB, the principal was informed of the positive case on 31 May.

“The principal was notified that a male teacher tested positive for Covid-19. This was alarming because staff were at the school during the last week of May to help prepare the school for reopening,” said Mkhonza.

“The teacher was among those who reported to school and was in contact with other staff members. The teacher found out after he had gone to hospital with his pregnant wife and although his wife tested negative, he tested positive.”

Mkhonza said all staff members who were in contact with the teacher were tested last week.

“The principal sent out a message and all staff members had to report to the school for testing. Members of Birchleigh North Clinic assisted with the testing.

“More than half of the staff have received their results back, which were negative. The school facilities had already been cleaned prior to the positive case and were again cleaned, disinfected and sanitised.”

Mkhonza said the teachers were expected to return to work on 15 June.

The department would run the school until the staff returned.