THE June-July Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec)
examinations have been completed without a Covid-19 case being reported in
centres countrywide.
There was nationwide anxiety when the Government announced
the examinations would go ahead. Teachers’ unions had said running them was
risky and could spread the deadly virus.
However, the examinations went ahead after the Government
put in place measures inline with World Health Organisation guidelines to
protect candidates and invigilators.
Pupils sat for the examinations between 30 June and July 23
under Covid-19 prevention guidelines including wearing of masks, social
distancing and temperature tests.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema
yesterday paid tribute to the national Covid-19 taskforce, the corporate sector
among other organisations for providing requisite material to ensure that
examinations were held in compliance to Covid-19 regulations.
He commended some schools that were selected on short
notice to be used as examination centres.
“We would like to appreciate those who administered the
Zimsec June Examinations at the schools in particular the school/centre heads
and the invigilators who remained professional and efficient despite the
difficult operating environment posed by Covid-19 pandemic. Extended gratitude
goes to some centres which were not originally examination centres but stood in
for schools which were being used as Government quarantine centres. Great
applause goes to these centres for swiftly rising to the occasion and ensuring
that the examinations were successfully undertaken,” he said.
The minister reiterated that President Mnangagwa would
provide guidance on when schools would reopen as the country wants to provide a
solid education foundation meeting the 21st century demands.
The Government prematurely closed schools in March as President
Mnangagwa imposed measures to mitigate against the spread of Covid-19.
Schools were scheduled to reopen on July 28 but a sharp
increase in Covid-19 cases resulted in the Government shelving resumption of
lessons indefinitely.
However, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
has been delivering lessons via radio and online platforms to ensure pupils do
not regress in their studies.
“We are grateful for the continued guidance and support
from His Excellency, the President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, as we endeavour to
provide a wholesome education for all Zimbabweans during and beyond the
Covid-19 pandemic,” said Minister Mathema.
He said the Ministry was striving towards providing
equitable, quality, inclusive relevant and competence driven primary and
secondary and non-formal education to meet 21st century needs. Chronicle.
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