Schools: safety must be priority

THE article, “Schools wary of reopening” (the POST, May 27 – 31), refers.

The directive from the Department of Education that schools reopen on June 1 with grade 7 and 12 pupils appears to be ill-conceived.

It will be a disaster.

The announcement comes despite concerns by parents, teachers and unions. One has to question the appropriate supply of sanitisers, masks, water and sanitation for pupils.

The information from a range of stakeholders suggests that we are far from ready to reopen schools.

The lives of our children and teachers must be put first.

A sizeable budget must be demanded by schools to sanitise daily. If not, we are sitting on a ticking time bomb.

The track record of the Department of Education in delivering essential products to schools is poor.

The likelihood of the department getting this latest initiative right leaves me in a cold sweat.

My appeal is also to every parent to work with schools so there is updated information on their children.

Congratulations to the school governing body members who are taking a stand in certain schools, opposing the openings when safety standards were not put in place.

You have our children at heart.

DHAYALAN MOODLEY

Mobeni Heights