By Thys Khiba
Pretoria – The Minister of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Angie Motshekga confirmed that the vaccination programme for teachers and support staff members will start on Wednesday, 23 June, and it will continue until Thursday, 8 July 2021.
“The Departments of Health and Basic Education have been working around the clock in the past few weeks, to finalise a plan on the vaccination of our educators and support staff. We have also been working very closely with our stakeholders, who have contributed immensely in ensuring the success of the vaccination programme,” said Motshekga.
As she was briefing the nation on Saturday, 19 June, Motshekga said that the DBE made a request for teachers and support staff in basic education to be vaccinated as a matter of urgency, weeks ago. According to Motshekga, the request was inspired by the learning losses already suffered since March 2021, due to Covid-19 related complications by the department.
“The CEM welcomed the announcement by the President that vaccines for the Basic Education sector had been secured. The CEM also welcomed the subsequent announcement by the Acting Minister of Health, Ms Mamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane that our sector could now proceed with vaccination of our educators and support staff,” said Motshekga.
Amongst those who will be vaccinated under the DBE, are educators, administrative, support staff and teachers appointed by School Governing Body (SGB). At least 582 000 persons are expected to be vaccinated over 10 to 14 days (weekdays and weekends); or 7 to 10 days (if it is weekdays only).
Educators who will be taking the Covid-19 vaccine are expected to register their details onto the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS).
“Lists for SGB appointees and independent school educators will be uploaded onto the EVDS,” said Motshekga.
Motshekga said that On-site data capturing will be required for individual’s cell numbers; and medical aid details. She has also indicated during her briefing that there will be no on-site registrations.
“…that means persons not bulk uploaded in the EVDS, cannot be registered on-site; and therefore, cannot be vaccinated,” said Motshekga.
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