The South African teachers union have urged their staff to defy the country’s order to return to school on June 1st. According to the union, schools in the country do not yet have personal protective equipments to keep staff and pupils safe.

“The education system is not ready for the reopening of schools. If protective equipments such as masks and hand sanitizer have not been delivered by now, chances are slim that all schools will have them on Monday. We therefore call on all schools not to reopen until the non negotiable s have been delivered”. The union remarked.

The country has recorded more than 27,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and have been observing two months lock down imposed by their president, Cyril Ramaphosa. According to government order, the country will reopen it’s economy on June 1st.

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga said last week that schools will reopen but only for grades 7 and 12, those in their final year in primary and secondary school respectively. He has therefore urged the teachers’ union not to obstruct those who want to go back to school.

By Moma Sandrine

Source Aljazeera