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TimesLIVE reports that Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga, her deputy and teacher union leaders will be the faces of a public vaccination advocacy campaign encouraging educators to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
Phase 2 of the national vaccination programme, which will also target teachers as essential workers, is set to start on 17 May. DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga confirmed that the minister, her deputy and union leaders would be involved in the campaign. The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) advised on Monday that it would be rolling out the vaccine for teachers. A survey involving principals, which was conducted by teacher unions in February, revealed that nationally 52% of headmasters agreed or strongly agreed they would take the vaccine when it was available, while 32% indicated they were not sure. In an update to its members, the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) said “there is a significant cohort [of teachers] not receptive to take the vaccine, which is an area of concern”, so there will be a communications and advocacy campaign to address vaccine hesitancy. Basil Manuel of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA (Naptosa) said unions collectively advocated for all education workers to be offered the vaccine. These groups included teachers at public and private schools, and those employed by governing bodies, school cleaners, general workers, administrative staff and those employed by teacher unions. Ben Machipi of the Professional Educators’ Union (PEU) advised that the advocacy campaign would include messages on TV, radio and other media platforms. Motshekga advised earlier this year that 1,169 educators had died of Covid-19-related complications between December last year and February.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at TimesLIVE
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