DBE focuses on awareness
GOING back to the basics and raising awareness on Covid-19 safety protocols could help decrease the learner infection rate, says the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen many KwaZulu-Natal schools close. The Western Cape has also shown high numbers of learner infections.
DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said: “We are concerned about the increase in community infections regarding Covid-19. The closure of schools is provided for in the standard operating procedures as part of the safety-first focus in Covid-19 case management. Schools are supposed to close temporarily to protect learners and teachers.”
Last week, parents at KZN’s Assegai Primary School met the school governing body to discuss the cancellation of the academic year. The parents felt that their children were at a greater risk of contracting the virus at school.
SGB chairperson Andre de Bruin said: “Rather have a child repeat a grade than dig a grave is our motto.”
De Bruin said the DBE’s response plan was not very effective.
“To meet requirements of the Disaster Management Act response to Covid-19 protocol is impossible. You can’t get the whole school with classes of over 50 learners,” he said.
KZN MEC for Education Kwazi Mshengu said there was a problem following health and safety protocols.
In the Western Cape, data indicates that learner infection rates remain under 0.1% of the population with 0.05% of learners having contracted the virus last week (638 learners).
The Western Cape Education Department said: “The infection rates of our youth have been discussed with health professionals who have confirmed that while there has been a slightly greater number of Covid-19 cases among our youth in this wave, the proportion of those being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 is small.”
KZN’s Dr Kams Govender warned in a published medical journal that the reopening of schools would push the infection rate.