The Gauteng Legislature Portfolio Committee on Education calls on the Gauteng Department of Education not to rush the re-opening of the schools in the province before the department complies with the COVID -19 regulations.
The Chairperson of the committee, Matome Chiloane, said the committee will not allow the reopening of schools without the cleaning and the disinfecting of all schools in the province, and the delivery of PPE’s in compliance with the OHS and COVID -19 regulations.
“The committee calls for the delay of re-opening of schools until all regulations of COVID 19 are met and there are extra resources for cleaning, PPE; s and conduct risk assessments based on the scientific study,” the chairperson said.
He said the committee will not support the re-opening of schools in the province until such time the department has adhere to all requirements and regulations of COVID 19 as they are concerned about the increasing infection rate in the province and the impact this could have on the schools returning, as more townships are emerging as hotspots.
“The committee will not allow the senseless and suicidal attempt by the Department of Education to re-open schools without addressing all the necessary requirements and regulations of COVID-19”, said the Chairperson.
He said the committee will not allow the department to use teachers and learners as the guinea pig and called on the department to assess the practical situation on the ground and take an informed decision based on the clear evidence. Also of concern is that the infrastructure at schools has collapsed posing a health hazard to learners and teachers.
“The department wants to rush the re-opening of the schools whiles they still experiencing challenges on the infrastructure and currently the infrastructure in the schools has collapsed and there are not enough classrooms and that will make impossible to observe and comply with social distancing,” the chairperson said
