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High Court Dismisses EUSA’s Urgent Application To Close Schools

NYAKALLO TEFU

THE NORTH Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has dismissed an urgent application by the Educators Union of South Africa to close schools.

EUSA launched an urgent bid to overturn the decision by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to reopen schools but the high court in Pretoria found that the teacher union’s application contained material flaws which led to the dismissal of the case. 

If EUSA succeeded with its application over 26,000 public and independent schools would have had to close again. The union represents over 26 000 teachers in South Africa.

The teachers’ union argued before Judge Makhubele that the decision to reopen schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic posed a risk to pupils and teachers.

Commenting on the court judgment, Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said EUSA’s application to prevent the reopening of schools was a waste of time.

Solidarity, party to EUSA’s lawsuit, welcomed the ruling. 
 
“This ruling is a victory for learners and teachers, given that this victory promotes their access to education and the right to work,” Dr Dirk Hermann, Solidarity chief executive said.
 
“It remains regrettable that, apart from this application, efforts are still being made to bring the school programme to a halt. Solidarity and Solidarity’s Schools Support Centre (SSC) will take all possible legal avenues to ensure that the school programme can continue.”

(Compiled by Inside Education staff)

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