A trade union representing teachers in South Africa says it feels vindicated after a number of schools were forced to close temporarily because staff members tested positive for coronavirus.

Most of schools across South Africa opened their doors for grades 7 and 12 on Monday after months of lockdown.

The Educators Union of South Africa, which represents more than 27,000 teachers across the country, has accused the education department in court of compromising the health and safety of teachers and pupils.

Two Durban schools were temporarily closed after teachers tested positive for Covid-19, and one in Johannesburg was also closed after a positive test was reported.

Yesterday, Gauteng’s provincial education minister announced that 38 schools in the province had reported coronavirus cases, contracted before schools reopened, and that tracing and testing of those who were in contact with those who tested positive was underway.