Positive tests: parents must advise schools

THE Department of Basic Education has urged parents and guardians of matric learners who test positive for Covid-19 to inform their child’s school on time.

Last week, the department said it would allow learners who had tested positive to write the Combined 2020 November exam under specific conditions.

Since the start of the exams, about 30 pupils in the country had as of last Friday tested positive for the virus, according to Department of Basic Education spokesperson Terence Khala.

Khala said in these instances the learners and families received the message last Wednesday and reported to the schools and were able to be assisted.

“It should be noted that the schools did well to handle the cases, and eventually candidates were able to write as per the guidelines in place,” he said.

Notwithstanding this, the department was still urging parents to inform their respective schools should a learner test positive.

The reason they said this was important, it was to enable arrangements to be made for the learners to write the exam at an isolation venue that complied with the health and safety regulations relating to a secure exam.

According to the department, the decision was not taken lightly and had followed a series of consultative meetings over the weekend chaired by director-general of the department Mathanzima Mweli, with teachers’ unions, school governing body organisations and the South African Principals’ Association.

“Pupils are advised to be extra cautious during this period of the examination, to minimise the risk of contracting the virus,” the department said.

“They should refrain from attending any social gatherings and strictly observe the protocols relating to social distancing, wearing masks and hand sanitising.”