Govt Tells Parents To Shun Extra Lessons
The Government has urged parents to report to authorities schools that are conducting extra lessons during the school holiday.
Some schools are reportedly conducting extra lessons despite the Ministry of Primary Secondary Education stating that learners should be allowed to rest during the April holiday.
The Chronicle reported Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo as saying parents should work with the government to ensure that schools stop conducting extra lessons. Said Moyo:
The challenge is that some teachers are shortchanging learners during the school term so that parents can bring the children for extra lessons during the holidays.
Teachers should be able to cover the syllabus during the school term as now the school calendar has gone back to normal.
If parents shun these illegal extra lessons and demand that their children receive quality education during the term then there will be no need for extra lessons.
We need the buy-in from parents to ensure that children have access to quality education at our schools.
About 10 days ago, the Ministry of Primary and secondary education, permanent secretary Tumisang Thabela issued a statement saying there will be no extra lessons over the school holidays as lessons were not interrupted during the term. She said:
Please note that teaching and learning was not disrupted this term. We are still early in the year therefore, the vacation school for this April holiday is not authorized.
The COVID-19 pandemic is still with us and there has been no relaxation of COVID-19 protocols.
Ministry remains on high alert on the pandemic and pupil safeguarding considerations should be upheld.
Pupils should be allowed a full rest this holiday. In the interim, pupils can be assigned holiday homework and asked to compile their Continuous Assessment Learning Activities, fully utilizing the available Alternative Learning Methods at their disposal, including the Learning Passport and the effective use of Catch-Up Materials: all available on our website, www. mopse.co.zw
This year, June examinations will be resuscitated and schools are encouraged to register only those candidates requiring a re-sit and not formal ones as they will still be working on their components of CALA.
On the same note, PEDs are reminded that Heads of Schools should remain on duty over the holidays to preside over administrative tasks including the registration of candidates for the 2023 examinations as guided by ZIMSEC.
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