NC schools will ‘definitely’ open for pupils on Monday The department has also advised elderly teachers not to return to their classrooms
FROM the appointment of additional staff to the extensive cleaning of schools and ensuring that all equipment is in working condition, the Northern Cape Department of Education has indicated that it is definitely “back to school” for Grade 12 and 7 pupils on Monday, June 8.
The department said on Wednesday that all role-players had been working around the clock to prepare for the reopening of schools.
Department spokesperson Lehuma Ntuane said that all schools in the Northern Cape were being sanitised and additional staff had been appointed to assist in this regard.
“Our preparations are at an advanced stage. We will definitely commence with learning and teaching on Monday. School principals reported to schools on Monday, June 1 to assess the readiness (of schools to reopen for pupils),” said Ntuane.
“There is extensive cleaning currently taking place at various schools in the Province. We have appointed more than 600 additional cleaners to assist with the cleaning of schools. Part of the Covid-19 regulations state that the cleaning of tables and chairs must take place in the morning and afternoon. The cleaners were allocated as per the needs of the individual school. There are some schools who were assigned three additional cleaners, while others were assigned four additional cleaners. These cleaners are in addition to those who were already appointed at the school.”
Ntuane said that the department had already prepared for the phasing in of other grades.
“The personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes masks and face shields, have been delivered to schools for pupils and teachers. Digital thermometers, liquid soap and sanitisers have also been packaged and sent to schools. The department has visited schools across the Province to ensure that the equipment, such as the digital thermometers, is in working condition. We are also receiving consignments of PPE for all the other grades on a daily basis, which is being kept in storage. That will ensure that we are prepared for the return of other pupils.”
Ntuane said the training and appointment of screeners had also been concluded.
He said the department had also advised elderly teachers not to return to their classrooms.
“As per the advice from the Covid-19 committee, educators who are over the age of 60 years are more at risk of coronavirus. We have taken a decision that those educators and principals should rather remain at home during this time. They are not expected to return to work. Those with chronic illnesses were also advised to do the same. Those with chronic illnesses should supply the department with evidence from a medical practitioner. The advice to not return to work is not based on a “no work, no pay” policy but solely on the importance of preserving the lives of our educators and pupils. We do not want to expose our pupils and teachers unnecessarily.”
Ntuane said the department understood that some teachers might feel fearful of returning to the classroom, but stated that the department had ensured that it had met all regulations to ensure the safety of everyone.
“We are in daily discussions with the teacher unions in order to assist us in easing the fear that some educators might experience during this time. We have given the union and educators updates on all preparations that have been made. We are sharing all the information and want to assure educators and other staff that we will never expose them unnecessarily. The safety of all of us relies on whether we adhere to the compliance of Covid-19 regulations. We will continue to clean classrooms on a daily basis in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus.”
He added that the MEC for Education, Mac Jack, had travelled across the Province to ensure that all schools adhered to the stipulated regulations.
“The level of cleanliness and the delivery of all PPES is now vital. We need to ensure that everyone is on board during this time,” said Ntuane.