Teacher vaccination plan must be backed up by efficient rollout

21 June 2021

The DA welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, over the weekend that the rollout for teacher vaccinations will commence this week on Wednesday, 23 June until Thursday, 8 July.

We believe that these vaccinations are a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of teachers and learners and bringing back some semblance of normality to our schools.

However, if the pandemic has shown us one thing it is that talk is cheap when it comes to the ANC government and promises of vaccines. The reality is that the mass vaccination drive has thus far been criminally slow. Any talk of vaccines must be backed up with an efficient and effective rollout.

The DA will conduct a vaccine oversight tour over the coming days to closely monitor the vaccine rollout for teachers and school staff and the government’s target of vaccinating 582 000 persons over the course of 10 to 14 days.

The Minister’s assurances that schools will remain open is also welcomed. The DA is of the view that schooling should go ahead uninterrupted and in adherence to strict Covid-19 protocols. Those schools that are not adequately prepared for safe, Covid-compliant opening should remain closed until such time that they are Covid-ready. The Department must ensure that it provides adequate support to those schools and all schools must adhere to strict Covid measures.

Statement issued by Baxolile ‘Bax’ Nodada MP - DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education, 21 June 2021