The writing of this year’s November public examinations
will be determined by the extent Zimbabwe contains tCovid-19 infection,
legislators heard today.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said
he could not tell with certainty whether students in Grade Seven, and in
O-level and A-level forms would write their November examinations, following a
decision to defer the reopening of schools for examination classes, originally
scheduled for July 28, in light of the rising number of confirmed Covid-19
cases.
The deferment of schools opening by Cabinet this week was
part of measures that include postponement of further opening of economic
sectors, localised lockdowns in hotspots and more testing in areas where
infections are spiking.
Minister Mathema was responding to questions from
legislators during the question and answer session in the National Assembly
yesterday.
Masvingo Central MP, Cde Edmond Mhere (Zanu-PF), had asked
what would become of the pupils due to write examinations this year following
the deferment of reopening of schools.
Until very recently, almost all infected people were
returning citizens and residents and these infections were discovered in
quarantine centres.
But the number of internal infections has been rising in
recent weeks, a development that requires strong measures to be taken to deal
with the menace.
Responding to another question, Higher and Tertiary
Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor
Amon Murwira, said uniform fees would be charged for all tertiary students
regardless of whether they were conducting e-learning or were on campus.
Zengeza West MP Mr Job Sikhala had asked if pupils doing
e-learning would pay the same fees with those on campus.“Students are not
paying for a particular way of learning but are paying for delivery of content.
The method of delivery does not matter, whether it is by radio, internet,
video, e-learning or on campus,” said Prof Murwira.
Meanwhile, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi reiterated that Zimbabwe will continue to use the
Zimbabwean dollar.
“Government has no plans whatsoever to abandon the
Zimbabwean dollar. Rather, we are working towards a view that it becomes the
sole currency of trading,” said Minister Ziyambi.
Responding to another question, Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Deputy Minister, Davison Musabayana, said Government had
engaged a local financial institution to help with advancing a loan facility to
Zimbabweans abroad who had failed to raise funds to return home due to
lockdown-induced challenges.
He said his Ministry was working tirelessly to help those
keen to return so much that two staffers from the Ministry had tested positive
to Covid-19 while assisting some returnees. Herald
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