08 Jul 2021

Government regrets losing teachers around the country as a result of COVID-19, Parliament heard Wednesday.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu, in response to a parliamentary question, said losing teachers and other cadres such as those in law enforcement and health sector was felt by all.

Thus, Mr Mthimkhulu said the current state of affairs called for strategic, speedy and inclusive interventions in terms of assisting teachers, learners and everyone involved in the teaching and learning space.

The assistant minister informed Parliament that it was in such a background that government had prioritised teachers and other frontline workers for vaccination against COVID-19.

However, he said specific dates for the vaccination of all teachers would be communicated once the health and wellness ministry had confirmed adequate supply.

In the meantime, he encouraged teachers and all aged 55 and above to be vaccinated in line with the current vaccination programme, which is targeted at this age cohort.

Further, he indicated that learners were also adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to continuous disruptions, particularly in the teaching and learning hours.

“The support staff within the learning institutions such as secretaries, accountants, cooks and cleaners have also fallen victim to the virus. 

Parents of the infected learners as a first line in healthcare provision are also affected by the pandemic, both medically and mentally,” he added.

The assistant minister was answering a question from Gaborone Bonnington South MP, Mr Christian Greeff, who wanted to know if the minister was aware that teachers were mostly affected by COVID-19.

Mr Greeff also asked the minister to state if government did not consider, as a matter of urgency, vaccinating all teachers as well as people with underlying conditions, which included hypertension, diabetes and cancer, regardless of age. ENDS