Pupils cannot afford a repetition of last year, warns SAOU
The Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysers Union (SAOU) has cautioned
against the disruption of schooling as the country continues to battle
a surge in Covid-19 infections.
The academic year is set to start on January 27.
The union says it is engaging the Department of Basic Education Department ahead of the reopening of schools around the country.
SAOU executive director Chris Klopper says pupils cannot afford another year of disrupted schooling.
“We are in favour of school commencing on the 27th after last year’s disruptions. If you look at the fact that schools started opening in the beginning of May and some of the learners only returned at the end of August and then they had to function with 50% capacity.
“So, it implies that those many learners suffered a severe damage in terms of schooling and therefore, we cannot have a repetition of last year. We must do everything possible to avoid that at all cost.”
Klopper says teachers must be given priority when the Covid-19 vaccination drive starts.
“As far as we are ware, the Department of Basic Education has complied with its duties. There are safety protocols in place and the three basic rules of social distancing, wearing of a mask, and sanitising.
“Therefore, we are of the opinion that to avoid large-scale absenteeism of teachers, the teachers must form part of a first priority group of vaccinations."
