The Citizen reports that as Covid-19 rips through schools in Gauteng, frightened teachers are questioning the government’s decision to keep classrooms open.

A teacher at a school in Johannesburg said Covid was escalating in schools and that some staff and pupils had been attending school even though they had the virus. Another teacher indicated: “Our classrooms are becoming war zones, with all the attendant post-traumatic stress that entails. Our school has more than 100 children absent every day because of the virus, while a further 20 to 30 are sent home during the day because they feel ill. Children from Grade R and up are testing positive, teachers are positive and highly stressed. Funerals and public events can only be up to 100, yet at a school over 800 are present daily.” More than 1,000 children in public schools have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past week. However, department of basic education (DBE) spokesperson Elijah Mahlangu said schools would remain open until the National Coronavirus Command Council and Cabinet advised differently. More than 20 schools are understood to have closed in Gauteng since February. Gauteng department of education spokesperson Steve Mabona said this figure would be updated on Friday.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Reitumetse Makwea at The Citizen
• Read too, Covid-19 third wave causing 'panic and misery' at Gauteng schools, says Lesufi, at TimesLIVE

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page