Seven matric markers die of Covid, 308 test positive while ‘serving the nation’

The department of basic education has confirmed that six matric markers have died of Covid-related complications, while 308 tested positive at marking centres and were sent home.

However, in a statement on Monday afternoon, the Gauteng education department said that a second marker had died in the province - taking the national total to seven.

The department informed teacher unions at a meeting on Saturday that three of those who died were from KwaZulu-Natal and one each from Gauteng, Limpopo and a department of basic education marking centre. This did not include the second Gauteng death.

Of the 45,388 markers who were expected to mark, 2,460 withdrew for a variety of reasons, including fear of contracting the virus and family members being infected.

The department said 1,736 replacement markers took over after the withdrawals.

Among the markers who died was a female teacher at a marking centre in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal. She died last Saturday after being rushed to hospital from the centre.

Nine other markers who had close contact with the woman isolated in a guest house.

We convey our deepest condolences to the families of the markers. The unions playing an oversight role, with the department, at marking centres have done almost everything that is humanly possible to make sure the marking centres are safe.

—  Ben Machipi, general secretary of the Professional Educators Union (PEU)

Up until Sunday, 79% of the marking had been completed, according to a tweet by basic education department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga.

“45,000 markers (thanks to you), 14-m scripts (size of the work) and 131 marking centres,” he posted.

Deputy minister of basic education Makgabo Reginah Mhaule said during a media briefing on Friday that some markers withdrew from the task because of anxiety and family members having tested positive.

“In the majority of cases the educators indicated they had attended funerals or ceremonies attended by big groups of people, resulting in gatherings that were not monitored for compliance with health protocols.” 

Ben Machipi, general secretary of the Professional Educators Union (PEU), said the markers died in the line of duty serving the nation.

“We convey our deepest condolences to the families of the markers. The unions playing an oversight role, with the department, at marking centres have done almost everything that is humanly possible to make sure the marking centres are safe.”

The deadline for the completion of marking is January 22.

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