Cosas shuts down 13 schools in Gauteng
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has been in consultations with relevant education stakeholders, as calls for schools to close continues to gain momentum. File picture: Motshwari Mofokeng/African News Agency (ANA)
In efforts to close schools amid the Covid-19 peak, the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) has shut down five high schools and eight primary schools in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
According to reports, the organisation says the immediate shutdown is to prevent learners from being infected with the virus.
Cosas treasurer-general Michael Mayalo said that the organisation declared its national shutdown from July 16, as more schools reported Covid-19 infections.
“It’s very rare to find schools that don’t have Covid-19 infections. Schools are reporting infections due to the virus moving with people, hence Cosas want all schools, whether there are infections or not, to shut down with immediate effect.
“We want the minister of Basic Education to heed our call and to take us seriously when we say that all other grades must not return to school. Grade 12s should be taken to matric-education camp sites where they can complete their matric year.”
Cosas claimed its actions (shutting down schools) were endorsed by all parents, teachers’ unions and the Gauteng Department of Education.
However, according to reports, Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said this action is “pure criminality that should be discouraged”.
Cosas joins five top teachers’ unions in calls to close schools across the country due to the Covid-19 surge that has already crept into the education sector since the reopening of schools.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has been in consultations with relevant education stakeholders, as calls for schools to close continues to gain momentum.
The minister is due to make an announcement on the matter this week.
