News24 reports that Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa executive director Lebogang Montjane and National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations chairperson Mandla Mthembu have expressed their satisfaction with the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Although the figures relating to private school vaccinations were not readily available, they added that there was a high turnout from teachers from private schools. Montjane said: “From our estimation, it's close to about ... 90% of our people (who) have been vaccinated so far.” He added that there had been minimal challenges, one being that of miscommunication. Among the challenges experienced were that the EVDS system could not pick up the teachers because they were not under the government's Persal system. But that was sorted out after all independent schools were asked to submit their data. The sector kick-started its vaccine programme two weeks ago. More than 300,000 teachers had been vaccinated since the start of the programme, the Department of Basic Education advised on Monday. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga is expected to provide an update on the vaccination programme on Wednesday. Meanwhile, teacher unions Sadtu, Naptosa, Saou, PEU and Natu have urged teachers and support staff in the sector to use the remaining days of the vaccination drive to get the jab and to be ambassadors of the vaccine. The education sector will conclude its vaccination drive at the end of the week.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sesona Ngqakamba at News24

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