Kgatleng has contained COVID- 19 spread across 48 schools
Kgatleng District Council Chairman Daniel Molokwe says COVID- 19 cases continue to increase in the district. He revealed that most of the clients are on home isolation and children are among these cases. Molokwe told a Full Council Meeting in Mochudi this week that a total 1,087 COVID- 19 clients were registered in Kgatleng district as at 26th November 2020. He said there are 390 positive cases.
“Twenty- Four ( 24) are active cases and 21 are transferred cases. A total of 336 cases were discharged while one ( 1) is deceased and a total of 12 cases are on mandatory quarantine.
“The district continues to intensify health education on early seeking behaviour and observation of COVID- 19 protocols as well as timely contact tracing to prevent the spread of the disease,” said Molokwe. He stated that the Council in consultation with other stakeholders has been embarking on adherence to COVID- 19 protocol operations and compliance checks. From September to November 2020, a total 181 businesses were assessed for adherence and 92 were compliant and 46 were charged for non- compliance, said the council chairman. According to Molokwe 31 out of 35 Day Care Centres visited were compliant. He explained that monitoring in government and private schools revealed that 52 of the 58 assessments done were compliant to COVID- 19 protocols.
“From 26 government institutions assessed in September 2020, only 13 were compliant. This is an indication of a level of non- compliance across sectors which we urge all responsible to put in place for full compliance as is mandatory.
“The Council monitoring and enforcement arms shall however continue to monitor all public places to ensure compliance to COVID- 19 protocols and the community at large is encouraged to ensure they follow the health protocols to the maximum,” said Molokwe.
He told the council meeting that schools in Kgatleng Region like other institutions have been affected by the COVID– 19 Pandemic.
The schools, he said had to abide by COVID– 19 protocols which included complying with social distancing in the classrooms to prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, nine ( 9) out of 37 primary schools had to introduce double shifting which resulted in engagement of extra 41 teachers on temporary basis even though there was no budget, he added. Molokwe stated that nine ( 9) out of 10 Junior Secondary Schools and Molefhi Senior Secondary School introduced double shifting. He revealed that the Kgatleng Region has successfully managed to contain the spread of COVID - 19 across the 48 schools. “As at November 2020, three ( 3) teachers and three ( 3) learners tested positive to the virus. Kgatleng Region Schools continue to experience non- compliance to COVID- 19 Protocols particularly after school, non- usage of masks, no social distancing and sticking around mall areas for long hours by students in groups before reaching home. “The Region is therefore appealing to the Community and Leadership to assist in this matter. It is however, pleasing that despite COVID– 19 challenges, all candidates who registered for Primary Leaving Examination ( PSLE), Junior Certificate ( JCE) and Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education ( BGCSE) successfully sat for their final examinations under Botswana Examinations Council ( BEC) which was scheduled from the 2nd October to 25th November 2020”, Molokwe revealed adding that Out of School Education and Training ( OSET) classes officially opened on 12th October 2020 following disruptions due to COVID– 19 lockdown and lack of funding.