The South African Democratic Teachers Union says it does not plan to head to the courts, but will use a different approach, should Department of Basic Education not heed their call that schools close amid a peak in Covid-19 infections in South Africa.Sadtu announced on Tuesday that, after holding a special meeting to find a way forward as infections spike in the country, it had agreed that teaching and learning would come to a halt during the peak.
“But we are the teachers and, therefore, we know what strong methods we can use to ensure we protect the lives of learners, teachers, workers, and the lives of the community,” Maluleke said. “Having said that, one of the main reasons for the phased-in reopening of schools, was to make sure the unfettered right to basic education for all children, is equitably provided. During Alert Levels 5 and 4 of the national lockdown, most children from the most rural and remote areas of the country, especially learners from quintiles 1-3 schools, could not access any form of online teaching and learning.
Speaking to News24 on Tuesday morning, Maimane said he was willing to head to the apex court because the decision by the department to open schools was “irrational”.