All's fine in Thembalethu

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GEORGE NEWS - It would appear that the secret behind the successful first day back at Thembalethu Primary School is partly due to the 28 education assistants deployed to the school.

Principal Bathini Tyesi said he is extremely happy to see the smiles on the faces of the 1 722 learners entering the school grounds one by one.

"Covid is a challenge, but all our protocols are in place. The department supplied us with enough PPEs and our school books and stationery were delivered last year already."

Photo gallery: First day of school in Thembalethu

Tyesi acknowledged that the education assistants, part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, is a massive helping hand in tackling the pandemic on the school premises. Education assistants will provide support to teachers and learners, while general school assistants will help schools to comply with Covid-19 health protocols.

The line to enter the school grounds stretched for over 200 metres as teachers checked the temperature of each child. All were wearing masks and no parents were allowed to enter the premises.

Meanwhile across the road at Jonga High School, the new school at the back of Thembalethu, learners were filing through the front gate straight into class.

Acting headmaster Tos Louw said, "This year we have an extra 300 learners as we have an extra grade, Grade 11. The school is ready for the year and the teachers are ready for Covid. All our procedures are in place. The learners will have to attend school on Saturdays so that we can catch up on lost time."

Thembalethu Primary School headmaster Bathini Tyesi with some of the PPE equipment destined for the classrooms. Photos: Myron Rabinowitz