Submitted by uThukela District Municipality

The second leg of school functionality inspections saw the uThukela District Command Council (DCC) led by the District Mayor Cllr AS Mazibuko visiting Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Local Command Council (LCC) on June 23. He was joined by Chief Education Specialist in the Estcourt Circuit Mr VC Maharaj, staff from Health Department, Bhekuzulu Self-Sufficient Project and officials. The team visited Forderville Primary School to inspect the school’s functionality and readiness.

ALSO READ: Covid-19 inspection at clinic in Bhekuzulu

The school is experiencing a number of challenges but appreciated the visit by the team to give support. It has about 113 grade 7 learners. The Mayor was informed that last week the school had a bit of scare where a learner in the neighbouring school tested positive for Covid-19.

READ MORE: Primary school closed after Covid-19 case reported

Because of the anxiousness of parents, most learners did not report for school today. All Covid-19 precautionary measures are being implemented in school and it is preparing to phase in the foundation phase.

In his opening remarks, the Mayor informed the stakeholders that this was an on-going programme whereby the DCC visited schools to conduct an oversight role to check on readiness.

“We work with our District Champion, KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and various stakeholders. This virus is new to us but we are also learning as we go along. We are also visiting religious sectors as well. We also have massive programme that talks to mass testing which will be conducted for two days here, starting today and finishing tomorrow,” said the Mayor.

Mayor Mazibuko also said that the KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala gives statistics every Sunday on Covid-19 and uThukela District is currently lying at number four in the province.

“We are worried about Estcourt, as it seems to become an epicentre of the pandemic in the district. People tend to think one can only find the virus in the institutions like hospitals, schools, shopping centres etc. whereas it is everywhere. People are also not observing the lockdown regulations. The issue of stigma is one of concern. It is a matter of giving support to the infected and affected”, the Mayor explained.

He said everyone should have been tested by now to prevent the spread of the virus. He then encouraged people and staff to lead by example.
In other matters, the Mayor was also concerned about the fact that at most funerals, people don’t adhere to the limited number of 50 attendees. He also raised concerns about various shops around town that don’t sanitise the patrons. Mr Mazibuko mentioned that it is important to protect learners and teachers from the virus because “if we do nothing that will mean the academic year has gone to waste.”

READ: Another primary school closed after Covid-19 case

Another team led by uThukela District Deputy Mayor Cllr NW Mchunu, departments of Education and Social Development visited Estcourt Primary School. The principal complained about the overflowing sewer outside the school, which learners pass every day when coming to school. Another complaint was in relation to the bridge that is not in good condition. Shortage of classrooms for the new grades is still an issue.

Another team led by UThukela District Speaker Cllr PG Strydom visited Drakensberg Secondary School where the principal and his deputy said everything was prepared three weeks prior to re-opening of school. They have 193 grade 12 learners and 42 classrooms. The school created WhatsApp groups for teaching and learning. They no longer hold meetings or assembly in order to maintain social distancing.

READ: Drakensberg Secondary School temporarily closed after learner tests positive for Covid-19

When other grades start coming back, the plan is to alternate dates for learners and also give them learner packs. There is no structured feeding scheme for the school; learners provide their own lunch to avoid congestion during break time. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has been supplied to the schools. The teams then visited the testing station set up in the area just outside the school. The turnout wasn’t pleasing to see though.

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