A former school governing body chairperson has accused a principal of exposing them, staff and pupils to Covid “on purpose”.
Mushfiqah Rodriques says the Strandfontein Primary School palie has refused to disinfect the premises after 10 positive cases at the school.
“I was selected as the Chairperson of the SGB in April of this year.
“I’ve had to resign from my position because I’m not comfortable with the way he is handling Covid cases,” she says.
“Last week it came to light that there were more Covid cases and since the numbers went up, we have tried to suggest to the principal to decontaminate the school.
“The first three positive cases were a month and a half ago.
“He said that he was monitoring the situation even though one of the sick people was in a meeting with him and other staff.
“Regulations stipulate that all of them should have been in isolation and he said no, he didn’t come close to the person and we left it.”
She says another staff member tested positive after that.
“The very next week, one of the people who attended the meeting had to go into isolation as they showed symptoms and he still persisted that no one was in close contact with the patient and asked me ‘why are you taking this seriously?’
“Two weeks ago three learners tested positive and their transport driver passed away from Covid, he closed their class for decontamination.
“I suggested that we close the whole school for fumigation, there is no social distancing during interval and the concern is that other children could have come into contact with the positive learners.”
The concerned woman says she has decided to speak out for the safety of the children as it seems there’s a cover-up by the school and WCED.
However, the Western Cape Education Department says Mushfiqah’s allegations are false.
Spokeswoman Bronagh Hammond adds: “The allegations regarding a “cover-up” are completely false. It is misleading and fake news.
“The school has adhered to all the correct reporting procedures. They have reported positive cases each and every time they occur as per process.
“The department has set down the criteria for decontamination – not the school.
“Environmental decontamination and disinfection must be conducted in the work area/classroom that the person with a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis (learner or staff member) has been in, during the preceding three days.
“The school has two positive learner cases currently – these learners were last at the school on the 23rd of August.
“They subsequently got tested and they received their results on 31 August.
“Thus seven days had lapsed, so according to protocols, the school does not get decontaminated.
“It is sad that someone chose to falsely accuse the school of a cover up when there is none to be had.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za