Health authorities have recently noted that there has been an increase in the number of people between the ages of 10 and 19 years old contracting Covid-19, particularly in the Northern Cape and the Western Cape. This is since schools have reopened and many activities have commenced.
The National Professional Teacher's Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) has expressed concern regarding this as the matric trial exams are coming up.
"With so many learners falling ill it is going to impact on their ability to actually sit for the trials and that may impact on how they do in the final exam," says Naptosa Executive Director Basil Manuel.
Manuel says that the number of Covid-19 cases in the age group of 10-19 years old keeps increasing everyday.
He says that standard operating procedures such as social distancing must be enforced in order to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Manuel also says that parents must ensure that learners, particularly in their teenage years must not be going out partying and partaking in social events that could lead to the spread of Covid-19.
"We call on the Department to ensure that they intervene timeously. We are having too many stories where infections happen in a school and there's a tardy approach, then of course the infections spread," says Manuel.
He says that they are not calling for the suspension of school or the exams but rather that control measures are tightened so that learners are able to get the necessary class time to prepare for their exams.
Manuel says that the school system is not ready for the decrease in social distancing as infections are still too high.
"A half a metre means no social distancing, that's the reality. I know on the other hand it means we are going to stick with rotation and that is not in the best interest either," he says.
The union has said that a solution must be found for the overcrowding of schools in the short and long-term.
"Naptosa does not support the reduction of the social distancing norm to anything less than the 1 metre that we have now."-Naptosa Executive Director Basil Manuel.
Manuel says that safety protocols must be adhered to strictly to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 amongst students so that they may be able to write their upcoming exams.
