EUSA continues with bid to interdict reopening of schools

The Educators Union of South Africa (EUSA) says it is forging ahead with its court action against government.

The union wants to interdict the reopening of schools in the country. The application will be heard in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday morning.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has postponed the reopening of schools for grade 7 and 12 learners until Monday, 8 June.  This is to allow the schools to procure the necessary Personal Protective Equipment and implement protocols.

However, classes have resumed on the original schedule of 1 June in the Western Cape.

The union, which represents over 27 000 teachers, has raised concerns over whether all schools will receive Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to help guarantee the safety of teachers and learners.

“It took COVID-19 for Gogo Angelina to realise that schools in South Africa do not have water and toilets. Gogo Angelina will not deliver on any of the promises that they are making. It did not make sense to us on how the department can ignore the fact that schools needed resources for 26 years and deliver all of those resources in one week.  It is impossible. And we can even promise you now that by next week Monday schools will not be ready. What she is rushing is the tenders for masks as well as the reopening of schools for curriculum,” says Spokesperson Kabelo Mahlobogwane.

In the video below, EUSA says schools should only reopen once it is safe to do so: