Image: File / Iavan Pijoos
Faizel Patel – 05/08/2021
Teacher unions have raised concerns over huge learner capacities and overcrowding in classrooms including the proposed reduction of one metre social distancing at schools.
The teacher unions say they had warned the Basic Education Department that the one-metre physical distancing in class would not be possible when the traditional timetable was followed.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga wants Cabinet to consider revising the current stipulated requirement, down to just half a meter.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Naptosa’s Basil Manuel says while they want children back at school, they also want them protected against the Coronavirus.
“In the interests of health and safety it can’t be a blank cheque. There are things that must be done to ensure that we can bring our teachers, our learners and of course also satisfy the concerns of parents that things are safe and that health concerns have been met particularly with this third wave and this particular variant where we are seeing so many children falling ill because of COVID as well.”
Manuel says that no scientific evidence thus far had been provided to unions in connection with the proposed half a meter move.
“The minister makes this statement at one of her visits to schools now the other day and want to know what informs this, is it scientific or is it political expediency. If social distancing is not important, why have we then been preaching about this all along?”
Manuel says teacher unions have agreed that if the department cannot managed the one meter social distancing between learners, it should revert back to alternative schooling says which is better than no schooling at all.
Listen to the interview with Basil Manuel
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