Unions happy for schools to reopen on Monday
Five teachers’ unions have come out in full support of the decision to reopen schools on Monday.
Grades 7 and 12s across the country will return to school on Monday for the first time since the start of the nationwide lockdown at the end of March.
Unions SADTU, NAPTOSA, SAOU, NATU, PEU and the School Governing Body Associations met with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on Saturday to receive reports on Covid-19 compliance in schools.
“We wish to emphasise that the meeting was open, frank and in a positive collaborative spirit that sought to join forces in combating a threat that affects not only everyone involved in education but also the future development of our country as a whole,” says SADTU general-secretary Mugwena Maluleke.
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“With the overall school readiness said to be 94%, the unions and SGB associations consequently support the call to re-open schools on 8th June with the clear understanding that no school may open that is not Covid-19 compliant.”
However, not all schools seem to be ready to reopen the doors of learning, with three out of the nine provinces still experiencing problems.
Maluleke says this relates mostly to the delivery of water tanks.
“This will make the resumption of learning and teaching impossible unless alternative measures are taken to ensure that all learners receive education.
“We will closely monitor the promise to complete the outstanding water deliveries, toilets, and additional classes.”