Education
- What is the total number of teachers in the province who are 60 years of age and above;
- whether she has conducted an assessment of teachers and learners with comorbidities as the province prepares for a phased-in return of learners to schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what is the total number of (a) learners and (b) teachers in the province with underlying sicknesses;
- whether a provision will be made for all learners and teachers with underlying sicknesses to remain at home when the schools reopen; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
- (1) There are 2 834 teachers who are 60 years and above.
(2) This assumes that the Member is referring to comorbidities for the purposes of Covid-19.
Teachers: The WCED conducted a preliminary assessment for teachers via a self-reported survey.
Learners: The WCED has communicated to schools the process involved should a learner have an existing comorbidity, and the process to be followed in this regard.
Parents of learners with a severe comorbidity have the option of keeping their child at home as a concession and overseeing his/her learning at home for the next while until the pandemic recedes.
If they wish to make use of this concession, they will have to provide the necessary signed confirmation and medical report. They would then be responsible for overseeing the daily learning of their children at home, including the daily work and assessments. They would also have to ensure that all work and assignments are collected and delivered at school, as required by the school.
Numbers of learners will only be determined as each Grade returns to go to school.
(3) a. Learners: Please see answer to Question 2.
b. Teachers: The total number of teachers who have applied, with medical reports, for concessions as a result of recognised comorbidities is approximately 2000. Their reports are currently being evaluated.
(4) Learners: Parents of learners with a severe comorbidity, have the option of keeping their child at home as a concession and overseeing his/her learning at home for the next while until the pandemic recedes.
If they wish to make use of this concession, they will have to provide the necessary signed confirmation and medical report. They would then be responsible for overseeing the daily learning of their children at home, including the daily work and assessments. They would also have to ensure that all work and assignments are collected and delivered at school, as required by the school.
Teachers: The WCED has requested teachers with comorbidities to submit an application for a concession to their principals accompanied with a full medical history report from their medical practitioner, as well as a plan as to how they would propose that they might continue to work from home. Principals must submit those documents with a recommendation to the District Director for WCED consideration, accompanied by a plan as to how the school will manage such cases of working from home.
