SOUTH AFRICAN TEACHERS WORRIED ABOUT SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19

South African school teachers are worried about a second Covid-19 wave that could possibly disrupt the 2021 academic year.

School teacher's unions in Johannesburg have raised concerns and warnings to the Department Of Basic Education about a possible second wave of Covid-19, which is expected to impact South Africa in January when the schools re-open, and stress that contingency measures need to be in place.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), as well as the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), emphasised their concern for the department to be as ready as possible for the second wave of Covid-19.

Sadtu General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke said: "Generally, they will not close the schools across the country, but they will follow the science, and not use the blanket approach."

Naptosa Executive Director, Basil Manuel, also expressed his concerns about ensuring the Department Of Basic Education does not get caught off guard if the second wave of Covid-19 arises.

"What we would like to see is the planning for 2021, the warning about the second wave. All our people are telling us about the fact that we must be careful about the second wave between January and February. There must be contingency measures by the department. There must not be surprises. We have already put it on the table that we must talk about it. I am not a person who wants to talk about surprises, let's talk about it," said Manuel.

Watch the video below on Covid-19 in SA: Western Cape preparing for a second wave.

Video credit: eNCA