Motshekga, teachers’ unions to discuss Covid decision

BASIC Education Minister Angie Motshekga will meet teachers’ unions before her expected announcement on whether schools should be closed or not during the third wave.

The meeting comes as some parties have been putting pressure on the minister to shut down the schools.

The National Professional Teachers’ Union of SA (Naptosa) yesterday said it would meet Motshekga today.

Naptosa executive director Basil Manuel said teachers on the ground were panicking, but the situation must be looked at closely.

“The reality is we can’t ignore the panic,” said Manuel.

He said they were meeting Motshekga to discuss the roll-out of the vaccine, but the issue of the third wave would come up.

“The main issue is going to be the vaccine. Hopefully, we will reflect on the current situation, the panic situation,” he said.

“When it comes to school closure, it’s going to be a touchy debate. If it’s not closure maybe you have to move holidays to coincide with the peak. I agree with the minister that we cannot close indefinitely, the costs are too great,” said Manuel.

SA Democratic Teachers’ Union national spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said they would like the department to look at closing schools directly affected by the high number of infections.

Even in hotspot areas, they did not want all the schools to be closed.

The Acting Minister of Health Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said Motshekga had issued a statement a few weeks ago on the stopping of sport at schools.

MPs yesterday also spoke out on schools during the budget votes of departments in the National Council of Provinces.

The EFF has been calling for government to shut down all schools as the numbers continue to rise.