16 Jun 2021

Chobe Junior Secondary School head, Mr Nelson Litiho says since the commencement of second term the school has been struggling with COVID-19.

Briefing councillors who visited the school led by Education and Social Services committee chairperson, Mr Boitumelo Kanyetu on Monday, he said upon schools opening they realised that five of their pupils had travelled to other zones, but could not test them as that could have amounted to discrimination.

Mr Litiho said in the previous term teaching and learning time was lost and the school was hoping to catch up this term during weekends.

He, however said that was impossible because of the COVID-19 cases, and as a result end of May tests could not be written as most of the pupils were either positive or contacts.

He said while they encouraged adherence to COVID-19 protocols in the school, they observed that outside there was so much laxity that pupils did not always wear masks. 

He further complined that some parents still allowed pupils with flu-like symptoms to come to school.

Acting senior teacher Guidance and Counselling, Ms Boitumelo Kolane told the councillors that since May 11 when schools opened up to June 13 a total of 87 pupils tested positive, out of which 50 were borders and 37 day scholars.

She said on June 13 alone, 10 learners tested positive for COVID-19, while 103 more were tested and were still awaiting their results. She said on the teachers’ side the school had only one active case that was recorded on June 12.

She said it was observed that sharing of utensils contributed to increasing COVID-19 cases in the school and PTA had since bought disposable utensils to be used by the pupils to reduce sharing.

Councillor Kanyetu said the councillors found it necessary to visit the school to address the children with the hope that maybe if they heard the COVID-19 message from different people other than teachers they would take heed.

He noted that if the recent allegations circulating on social media that pupils got the virus from positive ones deliberately was true then there was a crisis.

Addressing the pupils, Councillor Kanyetu raised a concern about the large number of them on isolation and quarantine while teaching and learning should be ongoing.

He urged the pupils to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols and encouraged them to protect themselves and their teachers. 

He said it was disheartening that the teachers were dying in large numbers due to the pandemic.

Councillor Helen Diau encouraged the pupils to always wear masks when at school as well as riding buses and taxis, adding that she observed that a number of them did not wear masks.

For his part, Councillor Baboloki Mpebe urged the pupils to concentrate on their studies and desist from uncalled for activities such as smoking and drinking.

 He encouraged them to choose friends wisely and avoid peer pressure. ENDS