More grades phased in at schools

Lolo Madonsela

The Department of Education has recommended that schools adopt an alternative approach as more grades return on July 6. Grades R, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 and 11 will be going back to class next week.
According to AbaQulusi School Inspector Ntshangase, the department has introduced three approaches schools can use as more grades are phased in.
“The first approach is ‘two sessions per day’; the second approach is ‘alternative days’; and the third approach is ‘by week’. The provincial department has however recommended that schools use the alternative approach though. If schools need to use other models, they can write to the department and state that,” said Ntshangase.
He cited that with the phasing in of more grades, there will be a shortage of teachers.
“We have about 160 teachers with comorbidities. That will affect the number of teachers as more grades re-open, as those teachers cannot return to work. As for learners with comorbidities, we have left that in the hands of the school and parents, but they must ensure that the learner is not deprived of the right to education,” he said.
Since the re-opening of schools in June, out of 165 schools in AbaQulusi, there are only two that are not operating as yet.

Also read: Monitoring of schools continues

Ntshangase confirmed to the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) on Covid-19 that there were schools that were non-compliant, especially with toilets, as the majority of schools still use pit toilets.
“Some are on the verge of closing down because of non-compliance. Therefore, mobile toilets have been dispersed in schools, even though some of the schools are still waiting to receive their mobile toilets. As schools re-open for other grades, we will be disinfecting the schools during breaks before another grade comes in,” said Ntshangase.
Addressing the issue of security in schools following a burglary that took place at Besterspruit Combined School, Ntshangase said, “The department only offers day security to schools. Therefore, the School Governing Body should assist with providing night security guards in their respective schools.”
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga urged Members of Parliament during a ‘virtual’ conference on Friday to limit their oversight to schools. “Our principals are under immense pressure to keep our schools functioning while battling the pandemic.”
Motshekga stated that, “Our aim to salvage the academic year is a necessary imperative, but we won’t re-open at all costs. Nothing is more supreme than human life. Our strategy is guided by the call of the president to protect both lives and livelihood, in which public schooling plays a strategic role.”
To eliminate overcrowding in schools, Motshekga said, “We have to find additional financial resources to augment our teaching cohort, so new posts have been created to eliminate the possibility of overcrowding. These additional substitute posts will also assist in standing in for staff that would absent due to illness, age and comorbidities. As we know, comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiac disease are the three most commonly associated with serious illness if one contracts Covid-19.
“We have a plan in place to also support learners at risk, in which the Schools Management Team and parents are going to play a key role; this support is also extended to non-teaching staff.
“We have also developed a psycho-social support plan on the impact of Covid-19 and our counsellors are ready to hit the ground running. Plans are in place for all special schools to resume teaching and learning. The basic guidelines on the re-opening apply, including additional measures to suit the special nature of the special needs schools,” indicated Motshekga.
On what happens when a positive Covid-19 case has been identified at a school, Motshekga said, “According to the Standard Operation Procedures for Containment and Management of Covid-19 for all schools, a school and or unit / component / office / department may be closed if someone tests positive for Covid-19. These are temporary closures to enable the Health Department and us to take over the management of the case, including decontamination, contact tracing and testing, among others.”

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