Daily screening for pupils when schools reopen, Motshekga vows
The Department of Basic Education has moved to allay fears that schools will be a breeding ground for Covid-19 when the pupils and teachers return to the classroom on June 1.
The Department of Basic Education has moved to allay fears that schools will be a breeding ground for Covid-19 when the pupils and teachers return to the classroom on June 1.
This comes as the department faces mounting pressure to set out a comprehensive plan to salvage the schooling year amid the national lockdown.
The department has had to balance the resumption of the academic year against the safety of pupils and teachers.
Deputy Minister of Education Reginah Mhaule vowed that daily screening will be undertaken for all those entering school premises.
“Screening will be done on a daily basis,” Mhaule said on Tuesday evening.
“It doesn’t mean that when we say schools are reopened then we are opening up a loophole for children to go and be infected. The system will try to ensure as much as possible that children are safe."
Motshekga: 'Full steam ahead' for June 1 reopening
The department has come under mounting pressure to settle uncertainty around the reopening of schools and the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers. In a media briefing on Tuesday, Motshekga said it's full steam ahead for the sector in the coming month, while admitting that a lot of hard work lies ahead.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga added that the role screening pupils would not need a qualified individual.
“When we go to malls, we have security guards screening us so it’s not a very specialised area.”
All pupils, teachers and support staff are set to receive orientation and training at the resumption of the school year, which will start with Grades 7 and 12.