Parents confident about safety against Covid-19 in school

Although parents have mixed views on the conversation about the vaccination of children as schools reopen, they are confident about the schools’ readiness.

Sfiso Lange, who accompanied Grade One learner Joy Mondlane to Chivirikani Primary School, said it was great that learners were going back to school.

Lange said he felt that the children are safer at school because they are not exposed to danger compared to when they are out and about in the streets.

He mentioned he feared for the learners because the pandemic is not over and there have been outbreaks of new variants, adding that he trusts the schools to follow precautionary measures.

“I know many people who died of this virus. Coronavirus killed many people; hence, I want my child to get vaccinated.

“But there are also concerns with that because we often see or hear of people who got a jab and got sick on television, so I don’t know how his body will react to the vaccine,” said Lange.

Naomi Ngomane, mother of six-year-old Luyanda Ngomane, shared the same sentiments, stating that children are much safer at school.

“They always have their masks when they are at school and they are sanitised every time they enter the school’s premises,” said Ngomane.

She said she wants her child to vaccinate.

“I am vaccinated, so I do not have a problem with my child getting the vaccine. It is meant to protect her,” said Ngomane.

Chivirikani Primary principal Chris Maluleke said last year was a difficult for teachers but the school did its best.
He added they were fortunate to not have Covid-19 cases in the school.

“We never had a Covid-19 case for any of our learners nor the staff members at the school,” said Maluleke.

However, the rotational system, which required learners to attend classes twice a week, posed a challenge for teachers, he added.

“Learners were not doing their schoolwork at home, which teachers struggled with when learners returned to class on their allocated days,” said Maluleke.

“That affected teachers. We could not complete the learning programme, so when learners went for exams, we focused on what we covered.”

He explained that part of their plan to help learners is to start with recap classes this week. This will help learners refocus.