Four schools in Kagiso shut down after staff test positive
The Gauteng West District Director, Oupa Koapeng, signed off letters in which the principals of each school confirmed the cases. In these letters, the principals informed learners to stay at home until further notice.
Four schools in Kagiso were shut down after staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
The four schools, Bosele Intermediate, Matlhasedi, Kagiso Senior Secondary and Thuto Pele Secondary have reportedly been closed after positive cases of Covid-19 were confirmed. Three of the four schools were closed on 22 June and two others were closed three weeks before.
The Gauteng West District Director, Oupa Koapeng, signed off letters in which the principals of each school confirmed the cases. In these letters, the principals informed learners to stay at home until further notice.
This brings the total number of schools that have been closed in Kagiso due to Covid-19 to six. The other two schools that were closed three weeks before are Mandisa Shiceka School and Madiba Comprehensive.When approached for comment, the Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, released a statement confirming the positive cases. The Gauteng Education spokesperson, Steven Mabona said schools that have confirmed cases will be closed.
“We have noted with concern the recent reports and this is a major concern for us as a department. However, we want to caution parents and community members not to panic as we are working closely with the affected schools,? Mabona said.
“All schools that have positive cases are closed and decontaminated, and will reopen once the Department of Health advises them to do so. Recovery plans will be implemented, and learners will catch up the lost curriculum time,” Mabona concluded.
The Gauteng SA Democratic Teachers Union provincial secretary, Tsiliso Ledimo, said his organisation is concerned about the rising infection rate; however, the provincial executive committee will give guidance on the way forward.
“As Sadtu we are very concerned about the rising infections which cannot be limited only to schools, but to the entire communities that we live in. We will do an analysis on all the schools in Gauteng on Thursday, and regions will be able to submit their statistics,” Ledimo said.
“At this meeting we will provide clarity about our approach with regard to closing schools as well as the positive cases that are being reported,” he concluded.
The West Rand District has become a new Covid-19 hot spot as more active cases are reported in the Anglo Gold Ashanti and Sibanye Stillwater mining sites.
