SADTU Demands Mass Testing of Learners and Teachers for COVID-19

Nyakallo Tefu

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has demanded that government conduct screenings of over 10 million learners and teachers for COVID-19 before the schools re-open in South Africa. 

In an interview with Inside Education on Monday, SADTU general secretary, Mugwena Maluleke said the teachers union would meet top education officials this week to table its demands that teachers and learners be screened to prevent possible COVID-19 infections. 

“This will mean schools do not re-open until all the screenings of teachers and learners are complete. One way to conduct these mass screenings is by separating learners by grades and for them to come in on different days for screenings so they are not a danger to one another”, said Maluleke. 

SADTU’s call for mass screening of teachers and learners could mean a further delay of the re-opening of schools, which was expected soon after the lockdown comes to