‘Our kids are desperate to get back into classes’

A COURAGEOUS step is being taken in resuming school activity amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said Jackie du Toit, the general manager of Ithuba Wild Coast Community College.

Over the past week, the school management team and staff have been grappling with the myriad regulations to ensure a safe environment, some of which could prove challenging for cashstrapped rural schools like Ithuba.

But unlike the Eastern Cape leadership of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), which has called on teachers to stay at home until the pandemic is over, Ithuba staff are keen to catch up on lost teaching time.

“Our kids are desperate to get back into classes,” said principal Tembakazi Makedama.

She said orientation and training would provide full understanding of the potential risks to both teachers and pupils.

Temperature screening and sanitising will be done at the school gate at the beginning and end of each day.

Strict access control will be in place and parents and health authorities immediately alerted should a child shows suspected symptoms of Covid-19.

Makedama said although school attendance was not compulsory, a full turn-out of Grade 7 pupils and teachers was expected tomorrow, followed by a phased in introduction of other classes as per guidelines provided by the Independent Schools Association of South Africa. | www.rovingreporters.co.za