Reopening of schools in question sanitation of KZN schools falls behind

The disinfecting of schools and education offices in KwaZulu-Natal in preparation for reopening has not even reached 25 percent, reports The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu).

Sadtu, the largest trade union for teachers, has told its members not to report for duty on Monday because the education department had failed to meet the minimum requirement to ensure safety at schools on Level 4 of the Covid-19 lockdown.

It remains unclear whether schools will reopen for matrics and Grade 7 pupils by June 1.

Two weeks ago, Basic Education minister Angie Motshekga announced schools would reopen in phases. School management teams (SMT) and principals were meant to return to schools on Monday, May 11 to prepare for pupils’ phasing in, with the rest of the teaching staff back on May 18.

However, last week the KZN education department postponed the return and did not announce a new date.

KZN education head, Dr Enock Nzama said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, deep cleaning and other health-related issues have not yet been confirmed at all institutions. In light of this district offices, circuit offices and schools are hereby instructed to postpone the returning of workers and SMTs, including teachers, to schools until further notice.”

Sadtu regional secretary Sihle Mchunu told the Courier that many schools in the region that had not finalised precautionary measures to ensure that pupils and educational facilities were safe before teachers could resume their duties.

Schools needed to be subjected to deep cleaning and disinfection before pupils and teachers could resume classes.

Schools also needed infrastructure in the form of toilets and running water, observance of social distancing inside the classrooms and in courtyards, reduction of class sizes, provision of soap, sanitisers and masks, screening of pupils and staff and social distancing in the transportation of pupils to and from schools.

Mchunu said personal protective equipment (PPE) had still not been obtained for office-based personnel, school-based educators and education support personnel.

“There are still as many as 100 schools in the region that do not have proper toilet facilities and running water,” said Mchunu.

Protocols set up by the basic education department state that classrooms will be sanitised before the start of school day, pupils will receive their hand sanitiser before entering the classroom, and wearing masks will be compulsory.

Pupils and teachers will also be screened and those that show symptoms must self-quarantine.

Physical distancing will also be enforced and no hugging, shaking hands or direct contact will be allowed.

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