Schools ‘death trap’ fears

Call for education minister to reverse her decision

TEACHER unions and parent associations are at loggerheads with the Department of Education over the reopening of schools tomorrow.

At a meeting between Kwazi Mshengu, MEC for Education in KZN, and leaders of provincial teachers’ unions on Friday, the KZN Education Command Council, chaired by the MEC, was formed “to provide leadership on all matters pertaining to the preparation of the reopening of schools”.

But in a joint statement released hours earlier, the bodies representing those in the education sector said Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga needed to recall the decision that schools should reopen for Grade 7 and Grade 12 from tomorrow.

The statement was issued by Sadtu, Naptosa, Natu, the Professional Educators’ Union (PEU) and South Africa Teachers’ Union (SAOU); as well as the Federation of Associations of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS), National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) and the Governing Body Foundation (GBF).

“We believe it would be a grievous mistake to force the reopening of schools on June 1. The minister should retract her announcement and delay any further announcement to give the system more time to ready itself,” the statement read.

The statement further read: “We do not believe it is in the best interest of children to return to schools when we know that uncertainty concerning their health and safety reigns.”

Their fears stemmed from discussions with members on the ground and in schools, which stated that most provincial departments had not delivered personal protective equipment (PPE), or at least sufficient PPES, for all returning school management team members and teachers.

PPES for learners also had not arrived at schools, despite earlier assurances. Many schools had not been sanitised and disinfected, as per the Department of Employment and Labour’s direction.

“Friday was the last working day before schools open. So, if the PPES were not delivered by now, how will schools have them come Monday? As a collective, we wish to highlight our rejection of a staggered opening of schools. No school must be left behind, especially not because of incompetence and tardiness. Given the historical injustices of the past, less fortunate schools will be left behind. We cannot allow this no matter the justification.”

The school governing body (SGB) forum from Tongaat and Verulam, representing 34 schools, said none of their schools were ready to accept students.

Chairperson of the Forum, Ashley Singh, said they did not sanction any parents in their area to send their children back to school on Monday.

“Our schools are not prepared with all the requisite deliverables from the department. PPE and sanitisation expected to take place before the return of our vulnerable children have not been fulfilled. The department has failed us dismally, and it is incumbent on us as the SGB Forum to reiterate that schools are not safe for children to return.”

Singh said they were not prepared to offer condolences to families for the death of any pupil or educator because they failed to protect them whilst aware of the un-preparedness of schools.

“We won’t take responsibility for any eventuality that the department has abdicated onto the schools. SGBS are not qualified to interview any sort of personnel to perform daily decontaminations of entire schools for a meagre R150 to R300 per day. This is the responsibility of the department, renounced to SGBS and principals, and ultimately, school parents.”

Clint Leverton from the Wentworth Combined SGB Forum, representing nine schools, said although education was of paramount importance, so too was the safety of pupils, teachers, and the greater community, and none of their schools will open their gates.

“Assurances given by the department have not been met. They have failed us dismally. Schools will not open until all conditions are met. Educators cannot be expected to implement and monitor sanitising issues and teach. Parents have made it abundantly clear that they will not send their children into a death trap. We are totally opposed to school resuming any time soon.”

Meanwhile, the department of education released rules and guidelines for tomorrow’s intended start of school despite opposition.

A government gazette released on Friday reaffirmed that Grade 7 and 12 pupils would return to school, and proposed grades R, 3, 6, 10 and 11 return on July 6, while Grades 4, 5, 8 and 9 return on August 3.

But should parents not want their children to attend school they must apply for an exemption and home schooling.

According to the guidelines gazetted, schools will implement strict Covid-19 screenings.

If anyone was found to have a cough, sore throat, redness of eyes, shortness or difficulty in breathing, body aches, loss of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness or tiredness they should not attend school.

If the child has already been on the school premises or offices, they must be immediately isolated and their parent or guardian contacted to make transport arrangements for the pupil to either go home to self-isolate or for medical testing and treatment.

Then the school must assess the risk of transmission and disinfect any official, teacher or pupil’s workstations and refer those who had contact with the pupil for screening.

It further stated that if a teacher contracted Covid-19 on the job and had evidence to back it up, a claim for compensation must be made in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries or Diseases Act.

Anybody diagnosed with Covid-19 may only return to the school after they have tested negative for the virus.