Education Ministry 'Ready' For The Reopening Of Schools
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education says it is ready for the commencement of the first term for 2022 when the Presidential proclamation is made to resume classes.
The Presidential decision to reopen schools could be made anytime from today.
A fortnight ago, Acting President Constantino Chiwenga extended the closure of schools by another two weeks but made it clear that a week’s notice would be given to ensure schools prepare for the return of learners.
Acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Amon Murwira said:
The principle which is there is that whenever he announces that he is going to ease off the lockdown, it is at that point that he will give one week for schools to prepare.
Ministry of Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said several schools were damaged by heavy rainfall and strong winds and need to be repaired but the ministry was in a position to manage COVID-19 in schools. Said Ndoro:
Yes, we are more than ready. However, some schools have been affected by the rains and roofs have been blown off so we are working flat out to repair that infrastructure.
In proportion to all schools, there are not many but still, we need them repaired and we have started modalities and assessments.
In terms of COVID-19 management, we have adjusted to the new reality and ensure that we have enough stocks for sanitisers, soap and water.
Schools were initially set to be reopened on 10 January but President Emmerson Mnangagwa postponed the resumption of classes indefinitely following a surge in coronavirus infections driven by the Omicron variant.
On Wednesday the test positivity rate had fallen to 4%, having reached close to 50% at the peak of the fourth wave.
