School management teams in Limpopo not to return yet
The procurement of Personal Protective Equipment remains a challenge in the province, and a new date for school management teams to return to schools, will be announced.
The Limpopo Education Department on Sunday, 10 May postponed the return of school management teams to schools. A circular to this effect was sent to all district directors and circuit managers to advise all officials, teachers and support staff not to report for duty today, as was earlier announced by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga.
According to the minister’s announcement, school management teams should have reported for duty on 11 May to start with preparations ahead of the phasing in of Gr 7 and Gr 12 learners on 1 June 2020.
“The re-opening of schools is dependent on a number of strict Covid-19-related conditions and protocols which are yet to be succinctly met by the department at all levels of operation. These include the safety of school buildings, offices and the health of learners, teachers and support staff,” says Tidimalo Chuene, Education Spokesperson.
He says the department is working through the Provincial Command Council and its Technical Committee to ensure that these conditions are met.
“The massive demand of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by many establishments around the country has resulted in the delay of the delivery of materials such as sanitiser, masks, visors, detergents and infrared thermometers that have been procured for schools, offices and other learning facilities. Delivery is expected in the next few days.”
Chuene adds that the department has established various work streams in which organised labour and other stakeholders will participate in tracking progress towards school readiness and a return date for support staff will be communicated in due course.
