38 Gauteng schools record Covid-19 positive cases

Thirty-nine positive Covid-19 cases had been reported at 38 schools in the province thus far, according to Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi.

Panyaza, addressing a media briefing on Monday afternoon in Midrand, said most of these cases arose before schools reopening for teachers.

He said 38 more cases were under investigation.

“As a precautionary measure, we have arranged for urgent decontamination of all these schools.”

Giving an update on the first day of schools re-opening after the lockdown, Lesufi said the department recorded an 85% attendance of pupils and educators on Monday.

Lesufi said the department, however, experienced some “teething problems” which were to be addressed.

He said about nine schools were not ready to open due to infrastructure issues.

“Any issues at our schools, which in any way would impact the safety of our staff and learners, are being managed.

“We are using alternative measures, including temporary relocation of learners to neighbouring schools, where we cannot immediately resolve the challenges,” Lesufi said.

He said several schools reported shortages of masks and cleaning detergents.

“We had several incidents of break-ins and vandalism over the weekend.

“This has impacted on personal protective equipment, including scanners for screening, and other resources we had allocated to schools accordingly.”

Schools were provided with surgical masks when they did not have enough cloth masks, with some learners receiving one mask while the stock was being delivered, he said.

Regarding transport, he said most grade 7 and 12 learners who used school transport were able to do so.

However, not all transporting buses were available on Monday as they had not been sanitised.

“Services will be restored tomorrow,” he said.

On nutrition, he said most schools were able to procure fresh and dry goods for the first 14 days.

Lesufi said the department recruited so-called Covid-19 brigades, many of whom were still being deployed at schools.

“One principal closed the school arguing there were no brigades to scan learners’ temperatures. However, a brigade had been deployed and the principal failed [to] phone the relevant person to confirm his or her availability. The principal had no authority to close the school.”

He said in some schools scanners were not working correctly and would be replaced.

“We have also ascertained that some scanners were not used properly.”

On comorbidities, he said some educators did not show up for schools, due to having underlying conditions.

“We appeal to everybody to please comply with the guidelines in this regard and to contact the school principal and district for clarity on whether your application is approved. But don’t just stay away.”

He said over 250 contracts for emergency and minor repairs were awarded and would be at schools to deal with water, electricity and sanitation challenges.

Lesufi reported that about three schools in Orange Farms were prevented from opening due to service delivery protests by the community.

Lesufi also added that the family of Enock Mpianzi through their legal team claimed for about ten million rands for compensation.

He said the department’s legal team would engage with the family on the matter.