The IFP calls upon the KZN MEC of Education, Kwazi Mshengu, to tell the public when substitute teachers will be sent to schools – before schooling resumes on Monday, 24 August.
The IFP is concerned about the media reports that some school principals are still waiting for substitute teachers, extra teachers and personal protective equipment (PPE) to be delivered. If such reports prove to be true, it is nothing but a recipe for disaster, and it will be an indication that the Department is not ready for schools to re-open.
The IFP believes that it is incumbent upon the KZN MEC for Education to come clean and to tell parents what learners can expect when they return to school on Monday. Everything must be transparent and concise. It is high time for the KZN MEC for Education to stop playing mind-games. He must assure the parents and teachers that everything is in order. The buck stops with the MEC, as the political head of the Department.
Learners and teachers must be protected and they must be provided with PPE. The protection of learners is non-negotiable.
The IFP wants the KZN MEC for Education to provide a clear time frame of when substitute teachers, PPE and other challenges facing schools will be addressed.
The MEC must be clear about the following:
1. How many substitute teachers will be sent to each school?
2. How many schools are without PPE?
3. How will social distancing be implemented in classrooms when more grades return to school?
4. How will scholar transport implement social distancing when more grades return to school?
5. How will school feeding schemes be rolled out in all schools?
6. Which schools are still using pit latrines?
We cannot allow a situation where teachers are made scapegoats when things go wrong in schools. This, while the MEC and the HOD are left off the hook – while they are the culprits who failed to provide good leadership. The Department of Education must start doing things differently.
The IFP further calls on the KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala, to give assurances that there are enough teachers and PPE for schools, before schools are opened on Monday.
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Contact:
Mrs Thembeni Madlopha Mthethwa, MPL
IFP KZN Spokesperson for Education
071 884 3844
