16 Sep 2020

 Selebi Phikwe schools are working tirelessly to ensure that pupils and teachers adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

Chief education officer for Selebi Phikwe, Mr Elisha Masedi said adherence to COVID-19 protocols in the 18 Selebi Phikwe schools was high, adding that schools were doing their best to minimise transmission of the virus in schools.

He added that Selebi Phikwe teachers had also shown commitment to the COVID-19 protocols since schools re-opened. 

“Our teachers start work early to screen pupils so that classes could begin on time. They also ensure that pupils wear masks properly during the course of the day,” he said.

Mr Masedi also noted that Selebi Phikwe schools had not registered any confirmed positive cases yet. He added that the teaching and learning process was progressing well, attributing that to the efforts by teachers.

He also commended pupils for not vandalising the newly installed hand wash basins and taps.

Mr Masedi also commended government for its efforts to improve the level of adherence in schools by supplying all the necessary resources to minimise transmission in schools. He added that  government has provided infra-red thermometres, increased the number of cleaners through Ipelegeng as well as providing sanitisers and liquid soap.

“The level of cleanliness is high compared to the period before the country went into extreme social distancing,” he said.

Pupils, he noted, were encouraged not to bring food to avoid issues of sharing food which might be contaminated. “We also encourage our pupils to eat food prepared from the school kitchen,” he added.

He appealed to parents to help teachers contain the virus by ensuring that their children minimised movements after school. He added that COVID-19 protocols should be observed at all times, even when children were at home. He also encouraged parents to pick their children on time to minimise gatherings after school.

Regarding mock examinations, Mr Masedi said all primary schools and junior secondary schools managed to sit for their mock examinations.

He said the examinations were  still ongoing at senior secondary schools and that they would be completed this week.

He was also confident that all completing classes would be able to sit for their  examinations. Primary School Leaving Examination will kick off next month. ends