The Free State Department of Education has stated that fumigation will be undertaken as a way of disinfecting two primary schools in Philippolis after two contagious viruses affected a significant number of learners. These schools are the Bergmanshoogte Intermediate School and the Philippolis Primary School.
The fumigation will be done in addition to the temporary closure of the two schools as a way of mitigating the spread of the viruses, identified as influenza B and the human rhinovirus. No casualties have been reported since the outbreak of the viruses, but this small town in the Free State’s Xhariep region has been rocked.
Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the department, said the fumigation process would be done before learners return to schools to ensure smooth progress after the abrupt closure.
Parents who have enrolled their children at these schools have expressed relief at the department’s undertaking to fumigate the schools ahead of the learners’ anticipated return on Thursday, 14 March. The suspension of learning and teaching, for a seven-day period, was set to end on Wednesday.
Parents have further expressed grave concern regarding the need for water for the washing of hands to further help curb the spread of the viruses. They say there is insufficient water supply to the two schools because of their higher elevation.
“The environment is unhygienic in classrooms, including toilets, because of the long-standing water supply issue,” said one of the parents, who wished not to be identified for fear of possible intimidation.
