Six weeks after schools reopened, the Cabinet is again debating whether schools should remain open or close again ahead of the anticipated Covid-19 peak. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga met with the Cabinet yesterday to discuss proposals made by stakeholders in the education sector about schooling ahead of the peak.

Teachers’ unions are among the stakeholders that made submissions to the Minister for inclusion in the proposal to the Cabinet. A joint submission from five teachers’ unions calls for schools to close during the peak of the pandemic and make alternative arrangements for Grade 12s, notes a Daily Maverick report.

The unions propose schools be closed during the peak and throughout winter.

‘The system should use this time to attend to all outstanding issues, including the provision of water, building of toilets and additional classes and teachers. Schools should reopen at the end of August 2020, subject to review based on the development of the virus,’ the joint submission states.

The unions say priority must be given to Grade 12 learners who have to write their school-leaving exams in four months’ time. 'Grade 12 should return on Monday, 17 August 2020,’ said the unions.

During an imbizo on 15 July, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged that although schools had attempted to ensure that Covid-19 regulations such as wearing masks and social distancing were followed, a number of teachers and learners had tested positive for the virus.

To date, only grades R, 12, seven, six and 11 have returned to school, with others, comprising grades three and 10, scheduled to return today. However, Eastern Cape postponed the return of grades R, six and 11 to today, when in fact they were supposed to return on 6 July.

And in a circular dated 17 July, the KZN head of the Department of Education advised that no other grades be phased in during the month of July.

Full Daily Maverick report

There are concerns the department could implement a no-work, no-pay policy if teachers fail to report for duty, says a report in The Mercury. Teacher unions have accused the department of blackmail after it questioned whether teachers should continue to receive salaries if schools close. When the department engaged with unions on Friday it raised a number of issues affecting the potential closure of schools, including salaries.

In written questions, Education Minister Angie Motshekga asked: ‘If the teachers are not going to be at work due to Covid-19, while other public servants are working under the same conditions, must they still get paid?’

Sadtu hit back: ‘Madam, just as you are not in Parliament but working from home, teachers will be doing the same just like their leader, yourself. Must you still be paid, noting that you are not in Parliament? Teachers will work from home, just like you. Teachers will do lesson preparation, collate learning activities for pupils and distribute them to parents. In this case a day or two will be declared for the teachers to go to school alternatively, make copy packages and submit to the HoD.’

Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)