COVID-19

Teachers in KZN to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in June 2021

Photo: Unsplash

Get set, jab: KZN teachers to be vaccinated amid rising COVID-19 cases

Unions in KZN are thrilled that teachers will soon receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s when the jabs for educators will commence.

COVID-19

Teachers in KZN to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in June 2021

Photo: Unsplash

With increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases reported among learners in KZN schools, teachers will be happy to know that they are next in line for vaccinations.

Educators in KZN schools will start receiving their COVID-19 jab from Wednesday 9 June 2021 and the Department of Education in KZN has secured 110 400 Johnson& Johnson vaccines for this rollout. KwaZulu-Natal has 107 000 teachers.

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala, confirmed this during a media briefing on Sunday 6 June 2021 and the Department of Health is set to open a further 21 vaccine centres to accommodate teachers.

TEACHER UNION WELCOME NEWS OF VACCINES FOR TEACHERS

Teacher Union, SADTU, in KZN were happy to hear confirmation from the premier that vaccines were to be administered to teachers.

Nomarashiya Caluza, Sadtu’s Secretary-General in KwaZulu-Natal, said the Union called for teachers to be prioritised for vaccines from the outset.

“With talk of a third wave of COVID-19 infections in KwaZulu-Natal, the timing for vaccination of teachers is appropriate. Also, all primary school learners are to return to school from 26 July 2021 so jabs at this point is important for teachers,” said Caluza.

“There is a need for further discussions between SADTU and the DoE. We need to deal with the how part of rolling out vaccines to teachers. We need to establish where to establish the vaccination centres because the districts are vast.

“In Zululand for example we have 700 schools and the Amajuba district has 200 schools. We have to determine how many vaccination sites are needed,” she added.

She encouraged teachers to respond positively to this call by the department and take the vaccination when informed. Caluza warned teachers to continue complying with COVID-19 protocol at schools. People are letting their guard down when the virus is “still out there and killing people”.

CONCERN FOR INCREASED COVID-19 CASES IN SCHOOLS

The Union was concerned by some teachers in the Zululand district complaining about overcrowding of classrooms. She said it was unacceptable for teaching and learning to take place in classrooms with 60 learners and no social distancing.

Also concerning to SADTU were recent cases of learners testing positive for COVID-19 in the Umzimyathi district.

Meanwhile, Sikalala expressed concern about increased COVID-19 cases at schools in KZN. For example, on Friday 4 June 2021, one school under Umzinyathi District reported 16 positive learner cases. Another school under Uthukela District reported 15 positive learner cases.