Provincial government on readiness for re-opening schools
The Premier, Chupu Mathabatha announced that he and members of the PCC will visit schools across the province to ensure all health protocols are being followed.
LIMPOPO – The Limpopo Coronavirus Command Council (PCC), during its weekly meeting on Thursday, was confident that almost all Gr 7 and Gr 12 learners will be back at schools tomorrow, 8 June.
The Premier, Chupu Mathabatha announced that he and members of the PCC will visit schools across the province to ensure all health protocols are being followed.
“More than 300 of the 524 schools now have water, and Rand Water has started delivering water tanks to the remaining schools. Mobile toilets and enviroloos were also being supplied to schools to ensure that on 8 June all is well,“ according to the statement.
A total of 131 000 Gr 7 and 83 000 Gr 12 learners are expected to attend school.
The Command Council and MEC of Education, Polly Boshielo, assured parents that if a school or facility is found wanting on safety measures, nobody will be forced to attend school.
Of the 155 vandalised schools in the province, only one school was yet to be repaired because of the excessive damage that needs more time, was reported. Six companies were appointed last month by the Department of Education to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for learners and teachers in the province.
According to Boshielo, Limpopo has 51 670 teachers who are responsible for 1 687 690 learners in the province, with 3 744 schools spread across 10 education districts. A total of 153 855 one-litre units of sanitiser were procured and distributed to schools.
“We have procured 3 767 infrared non-contact thermometers and delivered one per public school. A donation of 800 thermometers and 19 370 cloth masks have been received from Anglo American on 30 May. The department will provide two cloth masks to each learner, teacher and support staff members as well as one face shield each.”
On average two screeners were appointed per school, taking into account the learner enrolment and they are being trained.
Comorbidities in teachers and learners
Teachers with comorbidities not able to return to teach at schools were expected to complete a form and attach a medical report by a doctor, to be adjudicated by the Health Risk Manager. “The department has 720 excess teachers, 100 ad hoc and 115 substitute staff that will be redeployed and employed to fill gaps that will be created as a result of approved comorbidities,” Boshielo said.
For learners, a health questionnaire on comorbidities was sent to schools so that parents and guardians can complete, sign off and return them to schools to disclose any chronic illness and declare the health status of their children. The department shall provide educational support in case there might be affected learners in this area. Should children be home-schooled, the correct procedures should be followed to register them as per departmental prescripts.
Learner transport and school nutrition
The department held a teleconference with service providers for learner transport and the school nutrition programme to guide them on social distancing and good hygiene and expected health and safety measures. Closed vehicles which must be cleaned and sanitised daily before they deliver foodstuffs must be used.
Cleaning of offices and schools
A directive was issued for schools to use norms and standards funds to appoint cleaners and procure cleaning materials.
Water and sanitation
About the delivery of water and sanitation to schools she said: “This is still work in progress and we will continue to update these numbers as it unfolds.”
