PRIVATE schools reopened yesterday for the Cambridge
examination classes with the generality of them adhering to the Ministry of
Primary and Secondary Education’s mandatory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
as part of the new normal.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education last week
released the SOP in response to Covid-19 to ensure compliance to World Health
Organisation and Ministry of Health and Child Care coronavirus prevention
regulations. The SOP was designed specifically to guide schools on reopening.
According to the document, break and lunch time have been staggered to prevent
crowding by learners while sporting activities have also been banned. Schools
are now required to keep records for teachers and pupils with underlying
conditions without stigmatising them.
A maximum of 35 pupils are allowed in a single classroom as
learners and teachers will be required to maintain a physical or social
distance of one metre in the school premises. Teachers and learners are no
longer allowed to hug each other, shake hands or share desks as they used to.
It is also a requirement for temperature checks to be
conducted with schools now mandated to have temporary isolation rooms for those
found with high temperatures, before they are referred to heath facilities.
Due to the fact that Cambridge examinations are set
internationally by a British-based board, Cabinet resolved that the classes
should reopen earlier.
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) examination
classes are set to open on September 28 with the exams starting on December 1.
Government early this month announced the reopening of
examination classes for both Zimsec and Cambridge examination classes and
subsequently distributed standard operating procedures to all schools.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is working
closely with other ministries and stakeholders to guarantee the safety of
pupils and staff during the examinations period. The SOP states that no visitor
will be allowed in schools except essential service providers.
Physical distancing of at least one metre will be adhered
to by both teachers and learners while minimising sharing of education
stationery including textbooks.
Schools were closed late in March ahead of the initial
21-day national lockdown, but reopened briefly for June examinations.
A Chronicle new crew yesterday visited selected independent
and private schools in Bulawayo and observed that the SOP among other health
guidelines was being adhered to.
Chronicle could however, not access the classrooms at the
schools as authorities barred the new crew citing standing health regulations.
Girls College headmistress Ms Les Ross said 154 pupils who
are set to write both Ordinary and Advanced level examinations attended classes
with each class having at most 30 pupils.
“The issue of safety for both learners and staff comes
first hence prior to the reopening of schools, the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary Education and health officials inspected our school. Our staff are
being trained on Covid-19 health guidelines; we also have isolation rooms. Lots
of our pupils are back and today we had a total of 154 girls with each class
having not more than 30 pupils,” she said.
Ms Ross said as part of the SOP, surfaces such as doors,
walls and floors, door frames and handles, desks, light switches will be
frequently disinfected to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
At Dominican Convent High School, the news crew observed
pupils having their temperature checked and sanitising their hands at the gate.
All the pupils were wearing their masks. Sources at the school said each class
had about 20 pupils with the least having 14 learners.
“There is a new normal at our school. We are no longer
sharing desks and the number of pupils per class has been reduced to not more
than 20 unlike in the past where a classroom would have 30 pupils,” said the
source.
“School authorities are very strict when it comes to issues
to do with social distancing and wearing face masks. We are not even allowed to
shake hands or hug each other.”
At Christian Brothers College, the school has pitched a
tent by the gate where temperature checks and hand sanitising is conducted for
both learners and staff.
The tent also serves as a temporary isolation centre in the
event of Covid-19 cases being recorded at the school.
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo
said the ministry was yet to receive a detailed report following the reopening
of schools yesterday. He, however, said he was optimistic that private schools
adhered to the health regulations by virtue of being well resourced.
“Generally, private schools are well resourced unlike
public schools hence they are not likely to face any problems in terms of
adhering to the health guidelines. However, so far, we haven’t received any
report of mishaps, but by tomorrow we will be able to give a true picture after
getting returns from our structures,” he said. Chronicle
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