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COVID-19 Training

Topic outline

  • General



  • Introduction & Purpose

    • Countries across the world including South Africa, have taken drastic measures to curb the spread of the virus and reduce the extent to which infections are increasing.  Some of these measures included:

      • promotion of healthy hygienic practices;
      • social distancing (e.g. prohibiting gatherings in every sphere of the life of people that are more than 100 in number);
      • closing of boarders and prohibiting non-citizens to enter the country;
      • screening and testing of citizens coming back home from other parts of the world;
      • promoting self-isolation and quarantining of those who present with symptoms.

      President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 23 April 2020 the easing of lockdown restrictions from 01 May 2020. To balance the need for resuming economic activity with the imperative to contain the virus and save lives, the President announced a new approach where the measures being implemented are determined by the direction the pandemic is taking in the country. As restrictions are eased it is important that each member of every school community is aware of their responsibilities 

      Aim: This online course aims to provide all community members with information and recommended procedures so that they can carry out their specific role in keeping everyone safe, healthy and productive.

  • Facts about COVID-19




    • Objectives

    • This unit of study is aimed at all school community members and provides a general overview of COVID-19 and common procedures.


    • Study materials

    • Topic 1 - What is COVID-19 and what are the symptoms?
      Topic 2 - How does COVID-19 spread and who are most at risk?
      Topic 3 - What treatment?
      Topic 4 - Rumours and misconceptions


    • Online lecture

    • Welcome to the 'What is COVID-19'?" guest lecture presented by Mr Handson Mlotshwa, head of ICT at MGSLG. This lecture will take place on Friday 28th November, 2020 at 09h00  


    • Discussion forum

    • Since the materials were written what additional COVID-19 information has come to light? In the forum below post any information that you are aware of that was not highlighted in the learning materials. Feel free to engage your peers on what they have posted in this forum. Are their contributions 'fact' or 'fake'?


    • Additional resources

  • Role of School Governing Bodies (SGB)



    • Objectives

    • This unit of study is intended  to provide school governing bodies clear guidance on:  

      • Assisting SGBs to understand how to prevent the transmission of COVID -19 within the school premises, classroom and surrounding communities,  
      • How to support the school and SMT,
      • How  to ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are well-kept, well maintained and in good working order,
      • The role of SGBs in ensuring the safety of the school, learners and educators and non-educators.


    • Online lecture

    • Welcome to the 'COVID-19 training for SGB' guest lecture presented by Mr XXXX, head of XXXX at XXXX. This lecture will take place on Day XXth Month, Year at Time  


    • Study materials

    • Topic 1 - SGB's role in preventing COVID-19 transmission
      Topic 2 - Ensuring safety of school community
      Topic 3 - Adapt and create school policies, regulations and guidelines
      Topic 4 - Amend budgets and pay educators
      Topic 6 - Conclusion and summary


    • Discussion forum

    • The role of the SGB members during the pandemic is to encourage action and open any potential barriers to effective coordination of the SMT and the community at large. What additional tasks might the SGB take on, not mentioned in the training materials, that would be an obvious help to the school? Feel free to engage your peers on what they have posted. Are their suggestions useful?


    • Resources

  • Role of the School Management Team

  • Role of the Teacher



    • Objectives

    • This unit of study is intended to provide educators  clear guidance on:  

      • What is covid-19 and its effect on the school setting,
      • Educators' roles and responsibilities as a teacher to prevent transmission of Covid-19,
      • Monitoring and managing the prevention and transmission of Covid-19​,
      • Teaching about Covid-19  to different age groups of learners,
      • Managing stigma and discrimination around Covid-19,
      • Identifying where to get support on Covid-19.


    • Online lecture

    • Welcome to the 'Teacher training for COVID-19' guest lecture presented by Mr XXXX, head of XXXX at XXXX. This lecture will take place on Day XXth Month, Year at Time  


    • Study Materials

    • Topic 1 - Impact of COVID-19 on schooling
      Topic 2 - Educator responsibilities and role
      Topic 3 - Adapting your teaching style
      Topic 4 - Discussing COVID-19 with learners
      Topic 5 - Stigma and discrimination
      Topic 6 - Support on COVID-19


    • Discussion forum

    • The role of the teacher is critical during this time! It is essential that we model good values, attitudes and behaviours. The study materials emphasized this. What simple strategies can you think of that would help implement this in your classroom? Post your ideas here. Also spend some time looking at what your peers have written. Do you agree with them? Feel free to replay to their posts.


    • Resources

  • Role of the Parent



    • Objectives

    • This unit of study is designed to provide advice and strategies to help parents support their children at this time.


    • Online lecture

    • Welcome to the 'Teacher training for COVID-19' guest lecture presented by Mr XXXX, head of XXXX at XXXX. This lecture will take place on Day XXth Month, Year at Time  


    • Study Materials

    • Topic 1 - Introduction and COVID-19 refresher
      Topic 2 - Stigmatisation
      Topic 3- How to take care of your family
      Topic 4 - Take care of your child's mental health
      Topic 5 - Physical health needs and routine
      Topic 6 - Learning at home
      Topic 7 - Activities and educational resources
      Topic 8 - Procedure when you, or a family member, is sick
      Topic 9 - Readiness for school
      Topic 10 - Important contact numbers


    • Discussion forum

    • It can be argued that the advise and strategies presented in this course assume middle class access to resources and two parents per family. As a group brainstorm what advise you would give to single parent families or families that live in poverty. How would you adjust the advise? Post your ideas here. Also spend some time looking at what your peers have written. Do you agree with them? Feel free to replay to their posts.


    • Resources

  • Role of the Learner

  • Credits