"Pretend The 2020 Academic Year Never Happened," Govt Told
The government has been urged to declare the 2020 academic year null and void on the basis that studies were disturbed by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Studies were suspended in March when the country recorded its first coronavirus case and learners have since then not been able to return to schools with teachers’ unions arguing that measures to prevent the transmission of the virus had not been put in place in schools.
Speaking to Daily News on Sunday, former Churchill High School principal Levy Hombarume said the 2020 academic year was gone. He said:
If one considers the time left now, a lot has been lost by learners that even if we were to reopen, which teacher would be able to cover the syllabus in a manner that will enable learners to take an examination? Will the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) set the examination only for the part of the syllabus that was covered up to the time schools were closed? I find it impossible hence it is my opinion that the calendar year be voided.
His remarks were echoed by the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe who said authorities should use the break to address challenges in the education sector.
More: Daily News
