Parents along with members of SANCO on Wednesday shut down two schools in Khayelitsha and Philippi after teachers tested positive for Covid-19.
At Sivuyiseni Primary, pupils were asked to leave the premises and stay home until the school is disinfected.
An educator at the school says three of their teachers had tested positive and those who were in contact with them were forced to report for duty instead of going into quarantine.
At Vukani Primary in Philippi, parents allowed children to have breakfast then closed the school.
Parents force out children at Vukani Primary school in Philippi after a teacher tested positive for Covid-19. Video: Velani Ludidi
Nozuko Nyaba, a member of SANCO in the area, says: “A teacher tested positive here and no one came to disinfect. When we arrived here, two learners were in the staffroom waiting to be transported to hospital as they had flu-like symptoms.”
SGB chairperson Vuyokazi Songelwa added: “We are not being taken seriously by the department (of education).
“They want to disinfect the teacher’s classroom only, yet the teacher moved around the school. They also said 72 hours has passed so there is no need to disinfect.”
ACTION: Nozuko Nyaba
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the actions by SANCO and
parents were illegal and both schools remain open.
With regards to Vukani Primary, she confirmed only one area has been cordoned off for cleaning: “However, given the information received regarding the movements of a positive case of Covid-19, the full closure of the school is not necessary, as the movement was limited to certain areas, which will be cleaned.”
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said a number of factors are considered before a school is closed.
“It is not an automatic decision. The NICD and Department of Health have told us that the virus does not survive on surfaces for more than 72 hours.
“If a staff member was last present at a school more than a week before, sanitising a surface is not required.”