As chairpersons of the School Governing Bodies of the following schools within the Bayhaven area, Chatsworth Secondary, Protea Secondary, Southlands Secondary, Merryhill Primary, Summerfield Primary, Oceanview Primary, Fairhaven Primary, Evergreen Primary, Coedmore Primary, Excelsior Primary and KwaVulindlebe School for the Deaf we are concerned about the safety of all our learners and educators within our schools.
Today we learned of an unfortunate situation where one of our schools within the zone had a positive case of Covid-19. An educator at this school tested positive and the necessary protocols are being followed. Later this evening we have learned of a possible cause of a learner in another school. This has forced us at the parent component to reach a unanimous decision to request that the Department of Education closes all our schools with immediate effect. We are of the view that we cannot risk the lives of both or learners and educators as well as our community as the ripple effect is that once a learner or educator tests positive their families become vulnerable and at high risk.
In light of the confirmed number of COVID 19 cases in the country and province, we do not want to risk our schools contributing to the escalation of cases as we are slowly approaching a peak. We believe strongly that our schools should remain closed until such time that the virus has reached a peak and the number of cases starts to decrease.
We call upon all parents to keep your children at home with immediate effect whilst we are consulting with the department of education, principals, and teacher unions. It is in the best interest of our children and communities that we heed this call and keep our children at home. We have discussed with all SGBs within our area and have agreed that we should use alternate methods of teaching through what’s app groups, online classes, local radios and print media, and the collection of worksheets and learning material from educators in a controlled manner.
We ask all our parents, educators, and learners to remain calm, and if there is anyone who is showing symptoms of COVID that they should contact the local clinic, hospital, or doctor and undergo testing. We also make an earnest appeal to parents to keep their children at home and reduce the risk while we all work towards flattening the curve.
Issued by the Chairpersons of Chatsworth Secondary, Protea Secondary, Southlands Secondary, Merryhill Primary, Summerfield Primary, Oceanview Primary, Fairhaven Primary, Evergreen Primary, Coedmore Primary, Excelsior Primary, and KwaVulindlebe School and supported by the Bayview Community Policing Forum.
Further details contact
Mr Brandon Pillay on 0835962537
0722037746 (Whats App)