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The return of senior management teams (SMTs) to schools has been delayed.
This is according to the South African Teachers Union (SAOU), which explained the situation in a document seen by MyBroadband.
He said teacher unions met with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on Saturday to discuss issues related to the proposed reopening of schools for SMT on May 11.
Under this initial proposal, SMTs would begin disinfecting schools and planning for teachers to return on May 18.
However, SAOU said this would not happen.
“On Friday, May 8, 2020, it became clear that no province could comply with COVID regulations, that is, disinfecting workplaces, providing hand sanitizers, controlling people’s temperatures, and providing two cloth masks to students and personal school, “SAOU said.
“The minister insinuated that the DBE and the nine provincial departments require another week to be able to provide [equipment] to schools. “
According to SAOU, this means that the following can be considered as the new tentative schedule for returning to school:
- May 18 – SMTs report to schools.
- 25 of May – Educators report to schools.
- June 1 – Reopening for grades 12 and 7.
It is worth noting that these dates are not official and can be modified depending on how the acquisition processes proceed.
SAOU said the magnitude of the acquisition process is staggering and includes the following:
- 27 million masks
- 50,000 electronic scanners
- 24,500 sanitation packages
Water must also be supplied to schools that require it before these schools can reopen.
Change of plans
In a letter sent to schools and viewed by MyBroadband, the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE) said it had originally been forced to place purchase orders with the National Treasury.
However, it was reported on May 6 that all personal protective equipment (PPE) that was purchased by the National Treasury would be prioritized to the Department of Health.
This means that provincial education departments may need to implement their own procurement processes to obtain PPE for schools.
As a result, the ECDOE said it would amend its deadlines and confirmed that the return of principals, SMTs, teachers, and non-teaching officials is being postponed in the province until further notice.
In a document released by ECDOE and seen by MyBroadband, the closing date for tender requests for the supply of PPE in the Eastern Cape appears on May 13, two days after SMTs were originally set to return to schools.
These requests must still be processed after this date, and upon receipt of an official order, suppliers must deliver the first shipment within 48 hours and then within 10 days of receipt of an official purchase order.
No return until schools are safe – SADTU
The news of this delay follows strong criticism of the initial dates for the reopening of the schools.
“The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) will not allow any of its members to report to work on Monday because the Department of Basic Education has failed to meet the minimum requirements to ensure safety under Level 4 Alert COVID-19 ” SADTU said in a press release.
“PPE has not been purchased for office staff, school educators, and educational support staff. The disinfection of schools and offices has not even reached 25% “.
Motshekga formerly explained that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) plans for reopening schools would include a phased approach in which a limited group of department officials would return to work on May 4.
SMTs would return to work on May 11, while teachers would return on May 18, Motshekga said.
The first students to return would be 7th and 12th graders, who would start on June 1.
During the following weeks, and since schools are considered ready, other grades may return.
Department of education responds
DBE told MyBroadband that the minister will meet with MECs today and will also meet with teacher unions and the School Governing Body (SGB) association.
“The meetings are part of consultations that consider preparation for the provinces,” said DBE.
He added that it was agreed that the provinces that are ready should proceed, while those that are not ready should guarantee that all security measures are implemented before personnel return to the workplace.
“The department and the unions fully agree on the issue of security. Deliveries of EPP have been delayed in several provinces, so alternative plans are being made to ensure that all outstanding issues are completed this week, ”said DBE.
He said these delays will not affect the proposed reopening date for students on June 1.
Now Read: New Proposed Dates for Opening South African Schools
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