Campaign to educate educators about vaccines
Basic education minister Angie Motshekga, her deputy, Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, and teacher union leaders will be the faces of a public vaccination advocacy campaign encouraging educators to take the Covid19 vaccine.
Basic education department director-general Mathanzima Mweli has told the unions that phase 2 of the national vaccination programme, which will target teachers as essential workers, is scheduled to start on May 17.
The department’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, confirmed the minister, her deputy and union leaders will be involved in the campaign.
The Government Employees’ Medical Scheme (GEMS), which administers a medical aid for state workers, including teachers, confirmed on Monday that it will be rolling out the vaccine for teachers.
In an update to its members on Sunday, the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union said there was a “significant cohort [of teachers] not receptive to take the vaccine, which is an area of concern”.
“There is an intention to have a communications and advocacy campaign to address vaccine hesitancy.”
Once they are vaccinated, then perhaps more learners can be allowed to come back to school. It can assist in ensuring that effective learning is taking place
A survey involving principals, which was conducted by teacher unions on February 9, revealed that nationally 52% of headmasters agreed or strongly agreed they would take the vaccine when it is available, while 32% indicated they were not sure.
Sadtu spokesperson Nomusa Cembi welcomed moves to have teachers vaccinated, saying: “Once they are vaccinated, then perhaps more learners can be allowed to come back to school.
“It can assist in ensuring that effective learning is taking place because rotational teaching is not having the desired effect.”
Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA, said unions collectively advocated for all education workers to be offered the vaccine.
These groups include teachers at public and private schools, and those employed by governing bodies, school cleaners, general workers, administrative staff and those employed by teacher unions.
Manuel said an advocacy campaign will be launched shortly to encourage teachers to register for vaccines.
Ben Machipi, general secretary of the Professional Educators’ Union, said the advocacy campaign will include messaging on TV, radio and other media platforms.
The Kwazulu-natal education department’s school health directorate has issued a “refusal to consent to vaccinate” form that those teachers who are not willing to take the vaccine will need to sign.
Dr Stanley Moloabi, a principal officer at GEMS, said they would pay for the professional fee and vaccination costs of teachers who are members.
Motshekga said earlier this year that 1,169 educators had died of Covid-19-related complications between December and February.