Two Free State schools closed for the week due to increase in COVID-19 cases

Two schools that are opposite one another at Wepener in the Free State have been closed due to an outbreak of COVID-19. Learning and teaching were suspended this week at Tlotliso Primary and Qibing High school.

Concerned parents are lamenting poor communication from the school and the Department of Education.

Learners have been told to return to school next week Monday.

The Free State province is experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases in schools since the start of the third term. Parents say they are worried that if the situation is not attended to, it will get worse.

“What’s happening is very sad because we have children at school who have classmates that are getting infected but kids are still going to school. We don’t hear anything about fumigation or disinfecting the classrooms. Kids are just going on as normal, we are just told to monitor them.”

“We are very worried as parents of this community of Wepener. We are disappointed with our leadership. Our government for allowing our children to go to school yet they realise that there is no vaccine for the people under the age of 18.”

Some matric learners from Qibing High School in the Free State are worried that they will fall behind with their academic year.  Learners say it’s a challenge for them to prepare for trial exams.

“I’m so disappointed and worried because our trial exams are close by and I don’t know what we are going to do but I’m still studying while I’m at home.”

“As a matric learner, I’m not comfortable with this COVID-19 pandemic, because it affects a lot of our school work and we missing a lot as learners, we should be preparing for trial exams.”