The Principal of General Smuts High School, Morena Mohapi has unreservedly rejected the allegations that he concealed Covid-19 cases at his school and threatened staff that gets paid by the School Governing Body (SGB).
Mohapi says he has alerted teachers, learners, parents, SGB and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) about cases since the first one was reported.
“Concealing cases would be a very evil thing to do. Covid- 19 is going to be around for long time and it is something that we have to deal with, not hide.
“We have used various forms of communication such as bulk smses and letters to inform learners and parents about cases at our school. Staff and SGB has also been informed with all the cases that were reported.”
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster this afternoon, Mohapi said he had just come out of a meeting with relavant stakeholders where all the issues had been amicably resolved.
“We have managed to resolve all the issues surrounding Covid-19 cases at the School.”
Mohapi said he had previously explained to staff that, if the school was closed for fumigation and deep cleaning, everyone should report to duty on the stated date as procedures and regulations had been followed.
“We will follow all the rules and regulations to the latter. This week, the school has once again been closed for fumigation and deep cleaning.”
In a letter written to parents, Mohapi reported that the school had once again been closed after a teacher tested positive yesterday. This brings the total number of positive cases at the school to five.
“The first case to be reported was that of a grade 12 learner who reported to being positive by submitting medical proof on 23 June, after which the school was immediately closed.
“The school was then closed for fumigation and deep cleaning from June 24 to June 28 . Classes resumed on June 29 . Five teachers who were showing symptoms at the time were told to isolate, out of the five, four tested positive and the school was closed again.
Mohapi reports that Sanitization took place again from July 03 to Sunday, July 05.
The school once again encouraged the testing of students and teachers on July 09 where one teacher also tested positive.
“As we speak, the school is closed for fumigation and deep cleaning. Classes will resume on Monday.”
