The Star reports that school management teams stayed at home on Monday after the Department of Basic Education failed to deliver on measures to ensure the protection of teachers’ health in time.  

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced on 30 April that school management teams would report to schools on Monday, while teachers were expected on 18 May.  Teacher unions, however, sent out a directive to their members to not report for duty because the department had failed to meet the minimum Level 4 safety requirements.  Department spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, confirmed that school management teams would not resume duty, as the department was in agreement with the unions.  “Provinces have indicated that they were not ready, so the SA Democratic Teacher’s Union (Sadtu) has done the right thing to inform their members. We are in agreement on this matter,” said Mhlanga.  Sadtu advised in a statement on Friday that the department had committed that “non-negotiables” would be delivered to the schools before they open.  The “non-negotiables” included the fumigation and disinfection of school facilities; provision of soap, sanitisers and masks; screening of learners, teachers and support personnel; and reduction of class sizes, among others.  It is unlawful to expect for workers to report for duty when their safety is not guaranteed,” the union said.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chulumanco Mahamba at The Star

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