Requests have increased for teachers to be prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out since all primary school and special needs school learners have been requested to implement daily attendance and traditional timetables from 26 July 2021.
Anthea Adriaanse, the Progressive Principal’s Association spokesperson, announced that teachers were classified as essential workers, however, they have not been prioritised to receive the vaccine.
Schools are expected to return to full capacity, which Adriaanse believes makes teachers vulnerable to the virus.
“We are expected to resume full capacity at schools, making us vulnerable targets with the increased numbers of not only learners but parents, and having to deal with that on a daily basis would put us at greater risk,” said Adriaanse.
André de Bruyn, the Educators Union of SA provincial chairperson, requested the immediate vaccination of the front line working teachers as they put their lives at risk daily.
De Bruyn announced that the union would not stop fighting for the improvement of working conditions for teachers and educational support staff.
