In the home away from home, safe environments and calm minds help the fit and healthy guide the flock.
Teachers across Roodepoort have been braving the long queues at Roodepoort City Hall for 2021’s most sought-after commodity. Those entrusted with feeding the brains of the community’s children have been given priority vaccination status since June 23, relieving the collective stresses of both teaching staff and parents. The nationwide vaccine rollout went off relatively smoothly, with all 60 edu-vaccination sites receiving the government’s stamp of approval.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) estimates that just over 125 000 workers in the education sector within the province will have received the vaccine by July 8, just under half of those being teachers. While the vaccine is voluntary, few of those eligible have passed up the opportunity to add another layer of protection against the currently surging coronavirus infections.
Over-60s received a dose of the Pfizer vaccine while the remainder of the eligible educators received the Johnson & Johnson jab. “We appreciate and endorse the decision to ensure that educators are protected,” stated GDE spokesperson, Steve Mabona. A mildly painful jab in the upper arm followed by two Panados and a short self-monitoring period, which many get to enjoy on their early holiday, wrapped up this uniquely shared experience.
A handful of teachers shared their thoughts and experiences around receiving the dose of liquid hope:
Mrs Janine Fleetwood, HOD Guidance at Constantia Kloof Primary School
Have you personally been affected by the coronavirus at home? Yes, my husband and son have both had the coronavirus.
Are you excited to receive your vaccine jab? Yes
How have fears around the coronavirus affected your teaching? I am overly cautious, which affects handling books and marking as awhole.
Have you seen any anxiety in your learners around the third wave? Not really. They are quite relaxed.
Will receiving your vaccine jab make you and your learners more comfortable in the classroom? Learners are unaware, but I will feel more “protected” definitely.
The King’s School Discovery’s Principal, André Berrangé
Have you personally been affected by the coronavirus at home? No, not yet. But it seems to be inevitable that every person will be affected in each and every household.
Are you excited to receive your vaccine jab? Very much so. We have always considered ourselves frontline workers as we work with kids on a daily basis. Even though we will continue to follow all protocols, it is a massive load off of our shoulders.
How have fears around the coronavirus affected your teaching? Wearing a mask while teaching was interesting to say the least, but we have a job to do and to do it well. I think all teachers were fearful but just made sure that we remain safe.
Have you seen any anxiety in your learners around the third wave? Yes, we are constantly praying for our student and parent bodies.
Will receiving your vaccine jab make you and your learners more comfortable in the classroom?
For sure. Not only will I be protected myself, but learners can rest assured that the J&J single jab aids in me not carrying the virus to them.
Laerskool Florida se hoof, Rickus Swanepoel
Is u tuis persoonlik deur die koronavirus geraak?
Met die Here se genade nog nie.
Is u opgewonde om u inenting te kry?
Ja.
Hoe het vrese rondom die koronavirus u onderrig beïnvloed?
As skool en hoof moet ons daagliks moeilike besluite neem vir die veiligheid van ons leerders en personeel. Die gesondheid van ons leerders en personeel is ons eerste prioriteit.
Het u enige angs by u leerders gesien rondom die derde golf?
Nee, maar wel bekommerde ouers.
Sal u en u leerders gemakliker wees in die klaskamer as u u inenting gehad het?
Ek is nie seker nie, maar ek weet dit sal ons ouers, personeel en families meer gerus stel.
