SADTU calls Motshekga to close schools

By: Anelisa Sibanda

Twitter: Anelisa_Sibanda

Email address: anelisag98@gmail.com

Minister of Basic Department of Education Angie Motshekga, ordered that schools may be open to save the academic year. Different grades have been gradually returning to school amid the pandemic after government closed schools in March.

Minister of Basic Education- Angie Motsheka

However, the South African Democratic Teachers Union well known as SADTU has ordered the Minister to reconsider this and close schools until the peak season of the virus is over. Their concerned was that there has been a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and that puts both the learners and teachers at risk. 

 

"The union is that the closure is extremely urgent in order to avoid to further losses of lives in our communities and to fix the education system," said SADTU.

Most parents have been skeptical about sending their kids back to school as they fear for their children’s lives.

School practice safety measures before learners enter the premises

Sanele Mchunu (38), a mother of two said that she would rather have her children repeat the same grades next year rather than losing them to the deadly virus. “My kids should stay at home, sending them to school right now will only put them at risk, a grade can be repeated but I cannot get my children back once I lose them to the virus”, added Mchunu.

taken from google

Michael Sikhosana (18), a grade 12 learner at Phoenix High School said as much as he wants to complete his matric this year he does not mind completing it next year rather than risking being infected. “Had I had a choice I was not going to go to school, however, I do not hence I am going to school. 

We do take all the precautionary measures but you may never know who has the virus and who does not as there is no testing done at school," added Sikhosana.