Image via @HubertMweli
/ Twitter
DBE expresses concern following visit to Limpopo marking centre
DBE Director-General (DG), Mathanzima Mweli is concerned over the lack of social distancing at one Limpopo marking centre.
Image via @HubertMweli
/ Twitter
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has taken its nationwide inspection of matric marking centres to Limpopo following revelations that 238 matric exam markers have tested positive for COVID-19 countrywide, with one death confirmed at the Estcourt testing centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
DBE Director-General (DG), Mathanzima Mweli and company already visited the Hoërskool Louis Trichardt, Makhado Marking Centre and Merensky High School in Tzaneen on Tuesday, 11 January 2021.
DBE HAS INSPECTED MARKING CENTRES IN SIX PROVINCES
Mweli has expressed concerns over the perceived lack of social distancing at Merensky High School and furthermore lamented the condition of the accommodation availed to markers at the centre.
Mweli says on his Twitter account he has instructed the Limpopo Education Department and the Centre manager to attend to the concerns raised urgently. “It is of utmost importance that we ensure the safety of our markers”.
ESTCOURT MARKERS UNDERGO MANDATORY TESTING
The DBE has introduced mandatory testing at the Estcourt Marking Centre in Kwa-Zulu Natal. A marker here died from coronavirus related complications, with three other markers who are believed to have had contact with the deceased also testing positive.
Following the death, the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) called for a stoppage of matric marking, to allow rapid testing at the Estcourt marking centre.
The South African reports it is further alleged that markers did not apply for accommodation at marking centres such as Glencoe, Siyamukela, Estcourt – a problem that has persisted for years. Before there was always enough space to accommodate them. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case as all marking centres must take 50% of their capacity.
2 703 MARKERS WITHDRAW FROM MARKING CENTRES
Meanwhile, 2 703 out of 46 024 markers have withdrawn from 181 marking centres, but DBE appears unfazed, adding that they have enough people to manage the shortfall. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric results will be released on 23 February 2021.
On Monday, 11 January, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the extension of South Africa’s adjusted level 3 lockdown, with some changes to the current restrictions. Ramaphosa said the pandemic is currently at its most devastating, with a total of over 1.2 million cases and over 33 000 recorded deaths.
