The Department of Basic Education wants the vaccination programme for teachers and support staff to be extended.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga made this announcement on Wednesday during her visit to Gallagher Estate in Midrand, where she observed the vaccination process.

The department started the vaccination programme on 23 June and set itself a target of vaccinating 582 000 workers in the sector.

Motshekga said the latest figures from the health department indicated that 400 000 people in the sector had been vaccinated. She said the bulk of the vaccinations were recorded on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) and that others were registered on paper. The paper-based vaccinations are being captured on the system.

The education department initially received 300 000 doses. However, the health department then allocated it with additional doses which, Motshekga said, would be used to vaccinate those who were excluded from the programme. "We initially targeted 582 000 people in the sector but we have now loaded on the EVDS system, 789 554 [people] who include food handlers, janitors and support staff from independent schools and Early Childhood Development centres located within school premises."

She added that the programme would also accommodate those who could not take the jab because they had tested positive or taken the flu vaccine.

"Yesterday and today, we are finalising the data upload and confirming with provinces that all the additional people can now be vaccinated.

"As a result of this, we are going to ask the Department of Health to give us an extension in order to mop up the outstanding vaccinations," Motshekga said.

The department initially planned to conclude its programme on 8 July.

The department reiterated its appeal to workers to get vaccinated but said it respected the decision of those who chose not to take it.

According to Motshekga, all teachers, including those who have comorbidities, will be expected to return back to work when schools reopen.

"We have 16 000 teachers who have been on special leave due to the fact that they have comorbidities. We have discussed this matter with the teacher unions and all five that are part of the Education Labour Relations Council, are in full support of this position," the minister said.

Motshekga said the department would meet unions to discuss a proposal in the form of a draft collective agreement.

She said the agreement aimed to guide the operational requirements for teachers employed in terms of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, following the implementation of the vaccination programme.

She said the agreement would serve as a guide to manage vulnerable employees during the pandemic.

She said the department was hoping to finalise the process before schools reopen.

Motshekga also highlighted that learning losses were getting worse every day.

She added that the impact on the system would have a negative effect in the future.

"We will need to work together to ensure that we get vaccinated and indeed continue to comply with the health and safety protocols relevant to Level 4 of the risk-adjusted strategy."