Corona virus has attacked several schools in Alexandra since the gradual phasing of different grades which included Grade 12’s and 7’s and the recent grades including Grade R, 6 and 11.
Schools that have recorded positive cases include Iphuteng, Dr Knak, Gordons (Lower Grades), KwaBhekilanga, Realogile and Alex High (Higher grades). The cases varies per school it can be teacher(s) or pupil(s).
In a meeting where different unions met at iphuteng primary a number of concerns were raised. Some of the concerns, the principal from the school that experienced the case of covid-19 highlighted include the expensive fumigation process for the whole school and not being able to take next load of grades that needs to be phased in end of July. In One class there should be less than 20 pupils with 1metre distance between them.
The psychosocial capacity of teachers and pupils at this stage is very crucial. How do kids and teachers behave and return to normal behavior after learning about one of their schoolmate/classmate/colleague testing positive for the virus. The principal shared.
Learners have a probability of infecting their siblings who may be attending at different schools considering the lack of housing in Alex where in many cases a family lives in 1-2 room shack/house.
Post the meeting at Iphuteng the unions met alone and discussed mandates to protect workers, learners and Alex residents at large. A statement was then released with more matters regarding schools.
Some of the concerns highlighted in the statement are: No isolation rooms for students with high temperature, schools not being decontaminated properly leading to more infections, Principals forcing learners and teachers to return immediately to school immediately after a positive case, Principals hiding infection and misreporting on positive cases to keep schools open
A decision was taken by joint unions representing the school/education workers including educators and pupils to stop the teaching in the area.
In a statement released by COSATU, SADTU, NEHAWU and COSAS the unions have decided to shut down the schools on Monday 13 June 2020.
It’s also alleged that one pupil at East Bank High drank a sanitizer.
