Education

Question by: 
Hon Khalid Sayed
Answered by: 
Hon Debbie Schäfer
Question Number: 
6
Question Body: 

(1)    What is the detailed breakdown of COVID-19 infections at schools from the beginning of 2021 to date, including (a) the number of cases per school and (b) the breakdown per (i) age, (ii) race and (iii) gender;

(2)    whether her Department has measures in place to ensure transparency in the reporting of COVID-19 infections at schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3)    whether allegations of schools not reporting COVID-19 infections among learners have been bought to the attention of her Department; if so, what are the relevant details?
 

Answer Body: 

                       My department has provided the following information:

                     (1)     The cases reported to the department by schools regarding learner cases are attached as an annexure. Note: we rely on schools to report learner cases. The member is also aware that when a school reports that a learner has tested positive, this does not necessarily mean the learner acquired the infection at school.

                        (2)     Schools report cases daily to their district office which is then sent to Head Office.

(3)     Yes:

District Office

Complaint

Cape Winelands

None

Eden Central Karoo

The WCED was informed that a high school in Oudtshoorn was not reporting cases. The matter was investigated, and the allegations were found to be false. The school is reporting as required.

Metro Central

  1. A complaint was received in Term 2 that an independent school in Metro Central was not reporting cases. The WCED visited the school to investigate. The school has improved their reporting procedures, cases are reported to the department and parents are informed timeously.
  2. A complaint regarding a high school was received. The complaint proved to be untrue. Cases were reported and effective management strategies to inform parents and provide online strategies was communicated to parents and the Circuit Manager.
  3. A recent complaint regarding another independent school was received. The WCED is waiting for feedback from the school following our enquiries.

Metro East

  1. A complaint regarding a primary school was investigated and found to be inaccurate.
  2. A parent complained that the high school was not reporting cases to the parent community. The matter was investigated and found to be inaccurate.

Metro North

District received a few complaints from community members via the Minister’s office. Through follow-up it was determined that none of these allegations were true.

Metro South

An independent School did not report their cases on specific days.  This was attended to.

Overberg

None

West Coast

  1. The WCED was notified of cases at a primary school that were not reported. On further investigation, the WCED found that previous cases had also not been reported. The matter has been addressed.
  2. A complaint was received that the principal was not disclosing positive cases to the parent community. The matter was investigated, and the allegation had substance. The principal was disciplined progressively by the Circuit Manager.
Date: 
Friday, August 13, 2021
Supporting Docs: 
File Annexure A
© 2022 WCPP All Rights Reserved
Top