During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic about 3 300 teachers died due to the virus, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga mentioned in her 2022/2023 budget vote speech.
A member of the EFF political party, Mrs L F Tito questioned the Minister of Basic Education about the deaths of teachers due to Covid-19 and what plans were in place to replace these teachers at schools across the country.
In a written reply, it was stated that the public schools' sector usually loses between 18 000 to 22 000 (4,5% to 5,5% of the overall teacher population) educators annually due to natural attrition which is mainly driven by resignations, retirements and deaths.
In an analysis of excess deaths it is reported that there was a notable increase in teacher deaths during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, however the numbers were still within the range in terms of the annual attrition rate experienced by the education sector.
Thus, the National Assembly states that teachers who were lost due to Covid-19 deaths were continuously being replaced as part of the overall replacement of teachers due to natural attrition.
They say that the replacement of teachers that the sector lost due to natural attrition is an ongoing process.
As of 4 June 2022, South Africa has reported close to 4 million cases in total since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic with a recovery rate of 96,6%. To date, the country has reported more than 100 000 deaths.
Currently 50% of adults in the country are vaccinated, with the government encouraging the youth to get vaccinated so that they can reach 70%.
People are still encouraged to wear their masks in indoor settings and are advised to social distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
