By OBAKENG MAJE
Some residents in the North West province continue to be concerned regarding the re-opening of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes after three teachers from various schools in the province tested positive for COVID-19.
The North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela confirmed that three teachers within the province have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and they have been placed under 14 days of self-quarantine at home. Matsemela further said these three teachers are working in three different schools in the province and were confirmed positive for COVID-19 following not feeling well for some time.
“As the department, I wish to confirm that there are three teachers who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in our province. I, therefore, wish them to fight for recovery including all those people who might have come into contact with them.
“In the North West province, teachers reported back to school on 29 May 2020 and one of the teachers was already not feeling well. The teacher was in the process of applying for the comorbidities. I want to indicate that two of these teachers when learners returned to school they were already booked off by the doctors,” she said.
Matsemela added that they will continue to provide those affected with unwavering support whilst they receive medical attention at home. She said they are working very closely with the North West Department of Health to ensure that they adhere to the regulations.
“The three affected schools have been shut down by the Department of Health and the date of re-opening will be communicated once they have been disinfected and decontaminated,” she said.
Matsemela added that the department will continue to work with parents of the affected schools by sending them school work at home. However, some of residents said this does not hold water.
Kerapetse KR Mokonyane commented on Facebook: “Yet our parents who are teachers are forced to return to school while the water/sanitation issues as well as the PPEs still not acquired. All schools in the whole of North West can’t have been covered.
“Already on the fourth educator? Why these schools can’t be named as it directly affect our kids, teachers, and other learners. Gakitsi lo bereka jaang ke bona disaster fa fela.”
Another resident, Moamogwa Oweditswe Sheila said the government should stop the continuation of school. Moamogwa said the time the government stopped the learning and teaching, the country was experiencing less than 100 cases a day.
“Now the cases are over 2000 to 3000 a day and they want our kids to go to school. This really sucks,” she said.
Leburu Bonnie shared the same sentiments.
Leburu said: “The 2020 academic year can be forfeited. Our kids will finish off next year because this is not worth anyone risking their lives for. People’s lives come first and with all the challenges schools facing such as lack of provision of water, clean toilets, no sanitizers, and no masks and overcrowded classrooms. This is just the beginning of something worse.”
The Guardian 