Teachers in Swaziland (eSwatini) are taking the
government to court to try to halt the reopening of schools during the
coronavirus pandemic.
The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT)
says it is not safe to reopen yet. The number of positive cases of coronavirus
(COVID-19) is increasing in the kingdom.
SNAT made an urgent
application to the Swazi Industrial Court which was due to be heard on
Tuesday (7 July 2020). Schools started to reopen the day before. So far only
Form V pupils are back at school.
SNAT wants the government to be ordered to keep
schools closed until it provides all teachers with personal protective
equipment (PPE). Among other issues it also wants teachers, staff and pupils to
be obliged to wear facemasks.
The government is contesting the application but has
yet to issue details of its objection.
This week it was announced that the all
members of the Swaziland Cabinet were isolating at home after one of their
number tested positive for coronavirus. On Monday a sitting of the High Court
was abruptly ended when it was reported two judges had
tested positive.
As of 6 July 2020 there had been 1011 reported positive
cases of coronavirus and 13 deaths, according to Ministry
of Health figures.
See also
Swaziland
schools reopen from coronavirus lockdown amid fears virus not peaked
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