GOVERNMENT has revealed that schools will resume classes
mid next month, following hard on the heels of universities, whose doors are
set to be reopened from June 1.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain
Mathema told The Sunday Mail yesterday that “schools will be opened three to
four weeks from now”.
To prepare for the resumption of studies, Government is set
to hire 6 000 teachers as part of a comprehensive plan for the safe and smooth
opening of schools in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. This will bring the
number of teachers to 140 000.The country currently has about 4,5 million
learners.
“The 2020 exam class will resume classes first, followed by
2021 exam classes two or three weeks later, with the rest of the groups
following in that manner,” said Minister Mathema
Phase Three will consist of Grades Three, Four, Five and
Form Ones and Twos. Phase Four consists of Grades Two and One while Phase Five
sees the resumption of ECD classes, which are set to open last.
Before resumption of the new school term, teachers will be
screened and tested to ensure learners’ safety. They will also receive training
on Covid-19.
As part of the new measures, schools will get thermometers
for screening, while learners will be allocated Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) such as face masks, hand sanitisers and additional furniture, including
desks and chairs, needed to enforce social distancing.
Classrooms will be divided into two to ensure social
distancing, with Government setting up temporary classrooms.
The measures are part of the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary Education’s Covid-19 Education Response Plan.
Minister Mathema told The Sunday Mail that he had met with
teacher unions and presented the plan to them.
“We are going to have a phased approach of opening schools
like President Mnangagwa announced,” he said.
“Schools will be opened three to four weeks from now but we
want to make sure that our schools are safe to reopen, so we have put in a lot
measures to ensure that schools are safe.”
Although the preparations are quite onerous, Government
will ensure there will not be any cutting of corners.
“First, we want to make sure that the teachers undergo
testing and screening, and Government is going to take care of that. We will be
effecting social distancing at schools. For instance, a classroom will be
divided into two, with some classes being conducted in temporary buildings,” he
said.
“This also means we will be recruiting more teachers. So
far, we have been given the greenlight to take 6 000 teachers. Classes will
resume two to three weeks apart.
Government will also be opening a centralised e-learning
centre which will embrace every pupil in the country.
The e-learning facility will be done through WhatsApp,
radio and television platforms. Government is currently in talks with various
broadcasters to cater for e-learning.
“We have started renovating studios at our centre for
curriculum studies in Harare and our other studios in Bulawayo,” he added.
“We will also have a centralised e-learning centre at the
Ministry, which will use WhatsApp as its main channel.”
The Ministry has decentralised the implementation of the
Education Covid-19 Response Plan.
Some primary and secondary schools are producing face
masks, hand sanitisers and outsourcing furniture suppliers.
Mr Patrick Zumbo, the ministry’s spokesperson, said
Government has come up with a plan which is being implemented in schools in all
provinces in preparation of schools opening.
“We are implementing the Response Plan and a number of
schools have started producing the face masks,” he said.
Selected schools in Mashonaland Central Province have also
started producing masks and hand sanitisers.
It is also the same in other provinces. However, some
teacher unions are against Government’s proposed plans.
They argue that there is not enough time for the Ministry
to put in place all the things that need to be implemented before schools open.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Dr
Takavafira Zhou confirmed Government had presented its plans to them.
“However, we feel it is too early. We feel opening schools
this term would be unrealistic. We feel it is the responsibility of Government
to provide masks for every learner, teacher and ancillary staff. Of which it
cannot be done within the next few weeks.”
Schools and universities were closed earlier than scheduled
in the wake of the growing threat of Covid-19. Universities are set to open on
June 1 starting with final-year students. Sunday Mail
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