Back to school: Teachers’ unions slam plans to REDUCE social distancing

Five teachers’ unions are not happy with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and claims the proposal to reduce physical distancing in primary schools was made without being consulted.

The five teacher unions are: The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa  (Naptosa), the National Teachers’ Union (NATU), the Professional Educators Union (PEU), the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and the South African Teachers’ Union (SAOU).

“The teacher unions wish to record that they were not consulted in regard to the new proposed reduced social distance of 0.5m in primary schools,” they said in a joint statement issued on Wednesday, 4 August 2021.

On Tuesday, 3 August, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshega said she intends approaching Cabinet to have some of the social distancing requirements for pupils reduced once again.

Pupils returned to the classroom on a fulltime basis on Monday, however some schools will continue using the rotational system as they cannot meet the social distancing requirements, due to several factors, chief among them being overcrowding.

Teacher unions seek meeting with Basic Education Dept

The Department Basic Education (DBE) had already reduced the social distancing measure in primary schools from 1.5 metres to one metre, to accommodate schools with more students and less space. Motshekga said they had received an advisory which indicates that reducing the social distancing measure once again, would still work and not potentially expose learners to COVID-19.

The rotational timetable, which was implemented last year, has undoubtedly had a negative impact on schooling. The teachers’ unions say they’re not opposed to classrooms operating on a fulltime basis, but are concerned about the risks associated with doing so.

“The teacher unions further wish to record that we are in favour of a return to normality to ensure that the traditional timetables in schools may be reintroduced, but it cannot be at the expense of compliance with the required health and safety protocols that the Department of Health has insisted on since 26 March 2020,” the unions said.

The unions are now looking to meet with the department to discuss the matter.

“It is our contention that this matter must be the subject of genuine consultations with the organised teaching profession and that it must be supported by scientific evidence that the planned reduction will not lead to further infections among learners, educators and members of the broader community”

Teachers’ unions