Cosas slams ‘uncaring’ govt amid calls for pupils to stay at home

Cosas says it held a meeting last weekend where it was resolved that all schools should be closed indefinitely.

This comes amid calls by several teachers unions, including the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), for schools to close until after the Covid-19 peak has passed.  

Spokesperson Douglas Ngobeni says they disagree strongly with the Department of Basic Education’s decision to reopen schools amid the rising number of infections.

“The Congress of South African Students took a resolution that we are going to shut down schools since the Department of Health is advised by the World Health Organisation that the month between June and September will be the peak. We are surprised as to why the department so adamant on opening schools during these trying times.

“We are shutting down schools and the Congress of South African Students at branch level, the ground soldiers in black and white army. is the one which is going to every school in all borders of the country in this repatriation mission. We go to all schools where our learners are, repatriate them and we save them from this danger which is Covid-19.”

Ngobeni says pupils can return to class when the peak has passed.

“The academic year can be shifted to January and as Cosas, our learners can only return to class when it is safe out there and the spread of the virus has slowed down.”

He has urged all pupils to remain at home from Monday until further notice.