The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is concerned by a report which claims that School Governing Body (SGB) educators and staff will not receive their jabs as part of the province’s current Covid-19 vaccination programme.
The reality is that this is a massive sector – second only in size to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) – and there are expected to be some hiccups along the way.
However, there is no indication at this stage – from either the province’s Department of Education (DoE) or Department of Health (DoH) – that SGB staff will be excluded.
Those staff members already on Government’s Persal system do not require registration because details are readily available and easily registerable onto the EVDS – a system used to register recipients of the shot. The process to successfully get everyone else onto the system is underway where there are gaps. A 7 page circular was issued by the DoE to to all stakeholders to explain the process in detail.
Worryingly, despite being in possession of this information themselves, Unions appear to be contributing to any potential alarm within the sector, with their comments on the matter. This is an attempt to remain relevant in the process.
The DA condemns such actions. There can be no place for irresponsible reactions given the fear and concern that already exists within our communities regarding the pandemic.
As the 3rd wave continues to grow, not just across the country but also here in KZN. The DA urges the province’s Health Department to open vaccination sites seven days a week. There is contingency funding kept aside for any eventuality that may arise and it must now be used to hasten the roll-out. Why wait?
The DA will continue to support both KZN’s Education and Health Departments in their efforts to ensure that the people of our province are given speedy access to vaccinations despite the criminally slow process thus far.
