By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
The Eastern Department of Education has dispatched its team of psychologists to administer counselling to the learners of Ethembeni High school in Middleburg, following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the school.
Last week the department of education reported that about 98 learners from Ethembeni High School tested positive for COVID-19 pandemic.
Department’s MEC Fundile Gade said he has already sent his multi-departmental team to the school to investigate the matter.
“Due to this massive outbreak, learners coming from both Burgersdorp and Middleburg have been affected. A multi-department departmental team consisting of the local municipality, departments of Health (DoH) and Public Works (DPW) and Education have been established to manage the spread of this outbreak and advise on measures suitable for learners especially those writing their Trial examinations,” said Gada.
He added that the team has urged the department to allow the learners to continue with their trial examination as they are already in the middle of them.
“Currently, the team has advised the department to allow learners to write, as there are reasons to stop the learners since they are medically fit. Invigilators have been advised to put on Personal Protective Equipment and scripts will also be monitored for a specified period before being marked,” he said.
He further said other departments will come on board to give moral support to all learners at the school.
“Additionally, a request has been made to sister departments for Psychosocial Stream to offer counselling services to all learners. The team will also outline a roadmap to ensure learners do not transfer it to their homes or parents,” said Gade.
He also said the Department of Health is at the school assessing the situation as about 552 learners are going to be quarantined in a Centre in Aliwal North.
“Ward based rapid response teams are working collaboratively to respond to the outbreak. The DPW will advise on the availability of sites during the process.”
“There are also isolation sites in Steynsburg which have been identified for Grade 12 learners should the need to quarantine those who tested negative as they could be in the incubation phase,” he said.
MEC Gade has urged the communities to work together with the government to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the province.
“All contacts of the 98 positive learners are being tracked and traced urgently to curb the spread of the virus. The government approach is meant to also avoid any loss of life especially to those parents and families who may have comorbidities.”
“We urge the communities to work with us to ensure we stop the spread of this outbreak,” said Gada.