Covid-19 cases reported at schools in the Govan Mbeki Municipal area
About 13 schools in the Govan Mbeki municipal area have reported cases and were temporarily closed for fumigation since the schools re-opened.
HIGHVELD – The Mpumalanga Department of Education has published the names of schools with reported Covid-19 cases in the Gert Sibande District.
About 13 schools in the Govan Mbeki municipal area have reported cases and were temporarily closed for fumigation since the schools re-opened.
They are Oranje Gloed Primary School, Hoërskool Secunda, Hoërskool Hoogenhout, Evander High School, Sakhisizwe Primary School, Hoërskool Oosterland, Laerskool Trichardt, Vukuzithathe Primary School, Sidingulwazi Primary School, Shapeve Primary School, Kinross Primary School, eMdibini Primary School, Sizwakele Secondary School, AD Nkosi Secondary School, Trichardt Christian School and Sidingulwazi Primary School.
Parents of eMdibini Primary School raised their concerns and expressed their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the school handled the reported case.
They alleged that their children were only told to go back home and return to school the next day.
The parents claimed that they did not receive proper communication from the department of education or from the school.
“We were shocked when children came home because we did not receive any memorandum from the school.
“Children were told to return to school the next day and we are not even sure if the school building had been fumigated. The school must have a proper protocol to report the Covid-19 cases.
The School Governing Body (SGB) held a meeting after parents and staff members raised their concerns.
According to the information received, the SGB held a meeting on Sunday, 12 July to discuss challenges faced by the school.
They wrote to the department to demand clarity on the protocol to be followed if ever there is a reported case.
Mr Mduduzi Sikhosana, SGB member, confirmed that there were concerns from the parents and staff members, but the matter has been forwarded to the department.
He said the school was fumigated and that it is following the health protocols of sanitisation, social distancing and wearing of mask. Most of the schools affected were opened two days after fumigation and things are back to normal.
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