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Cape Winelands schoolsâ Covid-19 cases rise
By Francesca Villette
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Cape Town â The Cape Winelands has emerged an area of concern as at least seven schools had to be decontaminated over the past week, while Covid-19 infections continue to spike.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said provincially there were 34 active cases of learners who tested positive for the coronavirus, and 36 teachers and non-teaching staff .
This is an increase from May 10 when there were 18 cases of teacher and non-teaching staff infections, and 15 learner cases.
âAll cases have been in the Cape Winelands. All cases (except Stellenbosch HS) have reported only one positive case at their school. Not multiple cases,â Hammond said.
Fedusa-affiliated public sector unions have agreed to return to the wage negotiating table on Saturday, 15 May.
Although the Public Servants Association had already declared a dispute, Fedusa said most of its affiliated unions want the 10-day facilitation period to run its course first.
The unions want an inflation plus 4% increase, but the government has not moved from its previous offer of zero percent.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) and its affiliates are back at the wage negotiating table with the government.
The federation said its affiliated unions – including the Public Servants Association (PSA), the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa) – were still committed to finding a resolution in the public sector wage deadlock as some civil servants prepared for a national strike.
As third Covid-19 wave looms in SA, teacher unions against 100% attendance proposal
By Sakhiseni Nxumalo
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DURBAN - Teacher unions have raised concerns about the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, amid the proposal to have all primary and special schools return to daily attendance in the second term.
The Department of Basic Education had previously announced that it would be formulating a proposal on the matter and that it would present it to teachers unions, school governing bodies, as well as other stakeholders.
While some schools have been allowed to have 100% attendance, after they made submissions to the department, others, particularly disadvantaged schools, still have pupils attending on a rotational basis.
Education unionsâ success in improving working conditions and status for the profession despite COVID-19 crisis
Around 170 education unionists from 55 countries shared success stories in ensuring decent working conditions for education workers in an online meeting organised by Education International.
published
2021-05-07
updated
2021-05-07
On 6 May, Education International invited member organisations to explore how unions have won additional rights for educators during the pandemic.
Moderating the virtual event, the executive director of the National Professional Teachersâ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), Basil Manuel, stressed that while extra activities are required from educators during COVID-19, it is also a good time for them to reclaim their autonomy and professional growth.