Staff Reporter
Eunice High School in Bloemfontein and Tebang Primary School in Phuthaditjhaba have been forced to close after some learners and staff tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement released by provincial education department spokesperson Howard Ndaba on Thursday said two kitchen staff, five boarders and a teacher had tested positive for the acute respiratory disease over the past week.
“Eunice High School will be closed from Friday, 21 May to Monday 31 May . . . as a precautionary measure,” read part of the statement.
The school will offer online teaching and learning over that period.
Boarders will be allowed to return to hostels on Sunday, May 30.
Tebang Primary School was closed earlier to allow for decontamination.
“The department . . . calls on parents and members of the community to avoid visiting schools unless it is really necessary,” said Ndaba in the statement.
At Rekgonne Primary School, also in Bloemfontein, a teacher also tested positive.
Bohmer Special School in the city had four positive cases of learners, while Bloemfontein South Secondary School reported three cases of learners.
Ladybrand Secondary School reported two cases of teachers, while one non-teaching staff member at Jimmy Roos tested positive.
A district official working under the National Schools Nutrition Programme was also infected.
Elsewhere, Sasamala Secondary School, Mohaladitwe Secondary School and Retief Hoer Skool had two teachers, one teacher and one learner, respectively, testing positive.
According to Ndaba, schools in Lejweleputswa district registered 52 positive cases between May 17 and 20, of which 17 were teachers, 27 learners, seven administrative clerks and one cleaner.
In Fezile Dabi district, at Malakabeng Primary School several teachers tested positive, while at HTS Sasolburg there were three learners; Vaalpark Articon Secondary School one learner; Cedar Secondary School one teacher; and Dorrinton Matsepe Primary School three teachers as well as the death of one teacher due to COVID-19 complications.
About 30 learners have tested positive in Xhariep district where two non-teaching staff have also contracted the disease as well as 14 teachers. One teacher succumbed to the disease.
“The Free State Department of Education calls on learners, teachers and non-teaching staff in all our schools to be vigilant and religiously observe non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 protocols which include wearing of face masks, regular sanitising of hands at all times and keeping adequate social distance,” said Ndaba in the statement.