DURBAN - THERE is fear among matric examination paper markers, who are expected to begin executing their duties on Friday, and will do so for the third time under the threat of Covid-19, and for the second time as a new coronavirus variant spreads in the country.
While the Department of Basic Education has given the assurance that all Covid-19 protocols would be adhered to, unions have suggested that rapid tests for Covid-19 be undertaken at marking centres.
The provincial chief executive of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA, Thirona Moodley said the union had already requested that the department test all markers prior to marking beginning.
She said the department should also come up with a plan for markers to live in isolation. “We took it upon ourselves and approached the department to consider allowing only markers with negative results at the marking centres.
“We cannot allow any reckless behaviour and risk the lives of our people. We had contacted the department, urging them to only allow in markers that have been tested, to reduce the risk of infecting others.
“We have not received any response from the government, but we are hopeful that our request would be considered for the safety of our people, our nation and our country,” Moodley said.
At the start of the year, the department announced that more than 170 markers and teachers who were due to mark the 2020 matric papers had tested positive for Covid-19 as of January 7.
This came a week after one matric exam marker died and led to almost 1 700 markers withdrawing from the exercise.
This week, the five-week-long National Senior Certificate exams that began on October 27 drew to a close.
According to the department, more than 41 500 markers have been appointed to mark the papers at 193 centres across the country.
It said it was working with the Department of Health to ensure that all marking centres were fully compliant with health and safety protocols, and able to deal with any emergencies that may occur.
National Education Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said back-up centres had been organised in case an outbreak occurred and there would be a need for relocation.
“The department has increased the number of marking centres to ensure better compliance with Covid-19 protocols. All marking centres will implement stringent protocols including daily screening, the appointment of compliance officers, supply of masks, sanitising and social distancing.”
KwaZulu-Natal has a total of 7 054 markers, 1 920 examination assistants, 1 411 seniors, 66 chiefs and 273 deputy chiefs along with 29 marking centre managers. There are 29 marking venues and 417 marking rooms, with the selection of markers having finished in June.
SA Democratic Teachers’ Union provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said fear among markers was mainly due to the new variant.
“We have to remember that this is the third time that the markers are marking since (the start of) Covid-19. This is also the second time they would be working under a new variant, which brings in fear. We have called on the teachers to vaccinate and most of them did. We can now only hope that if they do get infected it doesn’t get too harsh,” Caluza said.
She said Sadtu had visited some of the marking centres to ensure that markers had sufficient space, adding that where they found centres to be crowded they had asked the department for additional centres.
KZN Education spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said the department would stick to the protocols provided by the Department of Health.
Acting Education head Dr Barney Mthembu warned that unvaccinated markers would have to produce their latest negative results or would not be allowed to enter marking centres.
National Teachers’ Union general secretary Cynthia Barnes said they were hopeful that the department would adhere to strict and necessary protocols to ensure the safety of the markers.
“The department has to make it a priority that all the markers are Covid-free. Last year many markers tested positive and this year they have to ensure that everyone gets in negative. Random rapid testing would be a reliever at this point. The marker rooms, toilets, desks and everything that they use should always be fumigated. Enough space for them to be able to move around should also be given to them. It would be also advisable that only one or two persons sleep in a room.”
Meanwhile, SA Principals’ Association president Linda Shezi said they were in support of any move that would make marking centres a safe place in which to function, and encouraged vaccination as it reduced the chances of serious illness.
“Non-pharmaceutical interventions should be strictly adhered to. Individual responsibility and discipline are paramount. A rapid test would be an additional safety precaution to ensure the safety of all personnel and markers.”
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