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Zimbabweans should prepare for increased load shedding as the festive season approaches, due to the frequent breakdowns of ageing equipment in units one to six at Hwange Thermal Power Station.
The situation is expected to worsen with the onset of the rainy season, leading to an increase in electrical faults.
During a Question and Answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo told lawmakers that the planned repowering of the old units at Hwange, starting in 2025, along with a requirement for ferrochrome smelters to generate their power, will help mitigate the country’s power shortages. Said Moyo (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200034532/zim-faces-dark-festive-season">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The frequency of blackouts has increased. First, as a result of the old and antiquated equipment in units one to six at Hwange which we are working on where we have signed a deal with a company from India — Jindal, which is going to start on the repowering exercise beginning early next year. That is one way of reducing the frequency of those blackouts.
Secondly, we are getting into the rainy season where we experience lightning, and wind — our infrastructure is going to be affected. We have been talking about a strategy on how to quickly respond to that.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the drought experienced during the 2023-24 summer season has resulted in low water levels in Kariba Dam. He said:
<blockquote>
Understandably so, we have been affected by the drought, Lake Kariba is a very critical asset in the power production process because that is the area where we use to balance power.
It is where we are able to ramp up production of supply or reduce it so that we can maintain a balance in the power supply. So, the issue of drought has really affected us and the impact is high.
However, to reduce the impact and to ensure that we supply those areas that cannot supply themselves, we have asked ferrochrome smelters to develop their own generation so that by the end of 2025, they will be able to supply themselves.
</blockquote>
On November 1, 2024, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) reported that the usable live storage at Lake Kariba—water available for power generation—had declined to 2.89 billion cubic meters (BCM), representing just 4.46% of capacity. In contrast, on the same date in 2023, the usable live storage was 11.59 BCM, or 17.90%.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe is expecting more power outages because of old equipment breaking down at the Hwange Thermal Power Station. The rainy season will make things worse. The Energy Minister plans to fix the equipment starting in 2025. A drought in 2023-24 made things worse because of low water levels at Lake Kariba. The authority reported less water available for power generation than the year before. They are asking ferrochrome smelters to make their own power by 2025 to help with the power shortage. The situation looks tough, and people should be ready for more outages.

Zimbabwe Braces For Increased Power Outages

Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo says Zimbabwe can import up to 200 MW of electricity from South Africa and two Mozambican suppliers.
However, this additional power is not sufficient to fill the generation gap caused by the low water levels at the Kariba Dam, the site of the 1,050 MW Kariba South Power Station.
Moyo provided this update while answering questions in both the National Assembly and the Senate. He further revealed that the country’s current power generation, through the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), stands at 1,300 MW, while the peak demand is 1,850 MW.
Moyo also disclosed that some of the older units at the Hwange Thermal Power Station are currently undergoing rehabilitation. Moyo said:
<blockquote>
The Zambezi River Authority is implementing a tight water allocation schedule that has seen Zimbabwe and Zambia reducing their generation.
Kariba power station is generating an average of 292MW out of a dependable or installed capacity of 1 050MW due to low water levels.
</blockquote>
He said an average of 200MW had been secured from import arrangements with ESKOM of South Africa and EDM and HCB of Mozambique to help cover the electricity shortfall.
Members of Parliament also questioned Moyo about the unbuilt 100 MW Gwanda solar power station project. This project was awarded to Intratrek Zimbabwe Limited, a company led by Wicknell Chivayo, who has a prior criminal conviction.
The MPs sought clarification from Moyo regarding the status and progress of this solar power initiative, which has faced significant delays and controversies. Moyo responded:
<blockquote>
On the power generation deficit, I spoke about it earlier especially regarding the Chivayo issue, as exacerbating the problem that we have. True, that is so.
The power that we could have benefited from if that project had taken place would have assisted us in reducing the current deficit. That is agreed.
On the logistics of going forward, I indicated that the ball is now between ZPC, ZESA Holdings and Intratek. That is how far I can go.
</blockquote>
According to the latest statistics provided by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), as of July 16, 2024, the power generation breakdown was as follows:
<ul>
<li>Hwange Thermal Power Station: 899 MW</li>
<li>Kariba Hydroelectric Power Station: 292 MW</li>
<li>Independent Power Producers (IPPs): 43 MW</li>
</ul>
This totals 1,234 MW of domestic power generation. Adding the 200 MW imported from Mozambique and South Africa brings the total available power to 1,434 MW.
However, the country’s peak power demand stands at around 1,850 MW, leaving a persistent deficit of at least 400 MW.
This supply-demand gap partially explains the daily load shedding being experienced across Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe is facing a shortage of electricity due to low water levels at the Kariba Dam. The country is importing 200 MW of power from South Africa and Mozambique to help, but it's not enough. Some power stations are being fixed, but a solar project is delayed. The country's total power generation is 1,434 MW, but the demand is 1,850 MW. This means there is still a shortage of 400 MW, leading to frequent power cuts in Zimbabwe. Members of Parliament are concerned and asking questions about the situation.

Power Imports From SA, Mozambique Partly  Offset Load Shedding

Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo says load-shedding is expected to ease soon.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/100mw-boost-for-local-power-supplies">The Sunday Mail</a>, Minister Moyo said that an additional 100 megawatts (MW) is set to be injected into the grid from a refurbished unit at Hwange Thermal Power Station. At the same time, another 100 MW ring-fenced for the winter wheat crop will be released.
Typically, there is increased electricity demand during the winter months due to greater consumption by households, businesses, and farmers, leading to more frequent load-shedding episodes.
This year, load-shedding has been exacerbated by a severe drought that negatively impacted electricity generation at the Kariba South Hydropower Station.
Minister Moyo explained the reasons behind the country’s intense load-shedding experienced in recent weeks. He said:
<blockquote>
We had ring-fenced power for our winter cropping season.
We had set aside 100MW because food security is very critical and we needed to support that.
The winter wheat irrigation period starts in May and runs up to July.
As you know, the hectarage that we planted this season is unprecedented in the history of this country, so a lot of power was required.
In terms of power supply, we are currently generating between 1 400MW and 1 500MW, depending on the availability of power for import in our regional pool.
Demand is ranging at 1 800MW, which means we normally have a deficit of around 300MW.
So, this is why there has been load-shedding.
</blockquote>
The Minister, however, said load-shedding was set to ease in the next two weeks He said:
<blockquote>
What we are anticipating is that immediately after the conclusion of the wheat irrigation period, we will be going back to normal since the power we had ring-fenced will go back to normal supplies.
Another mitigatory measure we have is that one unit at Hwange — I am not sure if it is Unit 2 or Unit 5 — will come back on stream at the end of this month and add up to 100MW on the grid, thereby reducing the burden of load-shedding.
In the medium term, we have several other solar projects that will produce up to 140MW, which will come on stream by the end of the year.
This power is being generated by independent power producers for their own use.
But what that means is that it frees up power from the national grid, since they will no longer depend on supplies from ZESA (Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority).
So, you can see that we are on a trajectory where the mismatch between supply and demand is being gradually resolved.
</blockquote>
Minister Moyo added that there are no plans to decommission power generation at Kariba South and the power plant is expected to continue operating until the end of the year. He said:
<blockquote>
On Kariba, we have budgeted our water well to the extent that it will last us until the end of the year, producing an average of 290MW.
Presently, there is no plan to decommission power generation at Kariba South.
So, in terms of our budgeting, the water will last until year-end.
We are hopeful that the La Niña phenomenon expected this year will help with addressing this problem since we are likely to get above-normal rainfall.
</blockquote>
The Minister did not disclose how much power the country is currently importing from neighbouring countries.
However, statistics released by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) indicate that the power utility has been generating less than 1,400 MW in recent weeks.
For example, on July 12, 2024, ZPC reported that the country was generating a total of 1,169 MW. Similarly, on July 1, 2024, the total power generation was 1,339 MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Load shedding, when electricity goes off, will be reduced soon in Zimbabwe. The Energy Minister says more power will be added to the grid from a power station. Winter season usually has higher electricity use. Load shedding has been worse because of a drought affecting power generation. The Minister explains that power was set aside for growing crops, causing a shortage. He says things will get better in the next two weeks. Projects are in place to add more power to the grid. The country is also hoping for more rain to help with power generation.

Load Shedding To Ease Soon, Says Minister Of Energy

Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo said that load-shedding this winter will be minimal and will not exceed “Stage One”.
In the past, Zimbabweans had to endure up to 18 hours without power in winter due to increased usage by domestic, commercial and winter wheat farmers.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/minimal-load-shedding-expected-this-winter">The Sunday Mail</a>, Minister Moyo said the commissioning of new generation units at Hwange Thermal Power Station, the optimisation of power generation at Kariba Dam, contributions from independent power producers (IPPs), and imports will ensure load shedding is minimised. He said:
<blockquote>
We have made several plans to ensure that the winter power supply situation is better than expected and we are not expecting to exceed Stage One load-shedding despite the power crisis in the region.
As you can see, despite the challenges, we have managed to minimise load-shedding for several months now.
We are anticipating reduced load curtailment owing to maximum generation at the Hwange Units 7 and 8, which are consistently producing over 600MW; Hwange Units 1-6 are performing fairly well, producing an average of 300MW from the enhanced maintenance and prioritisation of critical spares.
Kariba dispatch is being optimised to produce an average of 250MW, with a peak supply of up to 400MW.
We have several existing import arrangements with our counterparts, and ZETDC (Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company) will also be actively involved in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) Day Ahead Market to access any excess power from the region.
</blockquote>
Minister Moyo said that the winter wheat programme and other key economic sectors will be prioritised. He said:
<blockquote>
Independent power producers are producing an average of 50MW, while solar net metering capacity is at 24MW and an additional 16MW is expected this winter.
We have ring-fenced 100MW for the winter wheat programme to secure national food security.
Other key economic sectors such as mining, industry, commercial, water pumping, hospitals and critical institutions are key sectors being prioritised alongside winter wheat farming.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) general manager (stakeholder relations) George Manyaya clarified that Stage One load-shedding means power cuts will be minimal. He said:
<blockquote>
The load-shedding will be very minimal; maybe four to six hours a day.
We cannot quantify our stages of load-shedding using the South African way of quantification because of the difference in economy and population.
So, in our case, Stage One simply means minimal load-shedding.
This is different from the 18 hours-a-day load-shedding that households used to endure.
However, the country will have minimal load-shedding compared to other countries in the region.
</blockquote>
According to the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), on Monday 20 May 2024, the Hwange Thermal Power Station was producing about 989 MW, Kariba 551 MW, and IPPs 46 MW, to give a total of 1 586 MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Load Shedding Will Not Exceed Stage One During Winter Season - Energy Minister

The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Edgar Moyo, said that the Government was aware of the reduced electricity generation at Kariba and was working to secure funding to repower Hwange Units One to Six for them to work at their full potential which is 920 megawatts.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/repowering-of-hwange-units-1-6-to-boost-power-generation/">The Sunday News</a>, Minister Moyo highlighted that the reduction in water allocation from the Kariba Dam by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has significantly contributed to the current power shortages. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
We are keeping to the limit of the water allocation as given by the ZRA which is eight billion cubic metres allocated to Zimbabwe and the same to Zambia.
This allows us to generate about 214 megawatts which is way below our installed capacity at Kariba which is 1 050 megawatts.
What it means is that we have lost 800 megawatts capacity which is almost 50 percent of our requirement as a nation.
We now have low generation at Kariba but not all is lost because we continue to conduct refurbishments and repairs on Units One to Six to improve the capacity at Hwange Thermal Power Station.
The repairs are temporary, they keep us going, but the long-term solution is to re-do or repower them so that they reach their full potential. By repowering, we mean that we will be installing new equipment.
</blockquote>
He said said several investors have expressed interest in investing in the project but funding has yet to be secured. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
We cannot give specific timelines. Currently, we are working on the funding. You will be aware that these are huge projects which require capital injection which we may not have the capacity to provide.
We are also exploring funding through partnerships with local companies if they express interest. It is an open programme; it’s not confined to a specific funder. Whatever comes and suits our purpose it will be done.
Several investors have also expressed interest, they have come to inspect and we still await their feedback in terms of taking up those units. Two weeks back, we had investors coming from China.
This came after I led a delegation to China in January scouting for investments in the different sectors of the energy sector and the company which came two weeks ago expressed interest.
It made a follow-up visit to come and see the Hwange Power plant and other projects.
They also want to do 200 megawatts of solar. So it is an ongoing thing that we continue to engage and explore and once we sign a deal, you will be advised.
</blockquote>
Plans to repower Units 1 to 6 of Hwange Thermal Power Station follow the construction of Units 7 and 8 for US$1.5 billion. The units have a combined capacity of 600 megawatts.
However, despite the commissioning of the two units, electricity shortages persist in the country due to other factors, including the El Nino-induced drought that adversely affected the Kariba Hydroelectric power station.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Exploring Funding For Hwange Power Station Repowering - Energy Minister

In a significant development, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), successfully reconnected Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Unit 6 last week. This achievement adds approximately 150 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
Another 100MW unit is expected to be brought back online within the next two weeks, further bolstering the country’s power capacity.
Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo, in an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zesa-boosts-power-output-from-hwange">The Sunday Mail</a>, highlighted the impact of these reconnections.
The two units at Hwange are poised to enhance daily power generation, aiming for an impressive output of around 1,500MW. Here’s what Minister Moyo had to say:
<blockquote>
Currently, we are producing about 1,300MW against a demand ranging from 1,700MW to 2,000MW. Last week, we successfully brought back Unit 6, one of our largest units, which now contributes 150MW.
On April 7, we’re set to bring back another 100MW unit, assuming all goes smoothly. This move will raise our production to the targeted 1,500MW.
</blockquote>
To address the remaining shortfall, local power generation is also supported by independent power producers, contributing an average of 80MW daily.
This concerted effort aims to minimize reliance on imports, aligning with Zimbabwe’s goal of self-sufficiency.
Additionally, Zimbabwe has ambitious plans for the future. By September 2024, the country intends to install its first utility-scale battery storage system (USBSS).
This large-scale battery storage acts as a giant rechargeable battery, storing excess electricity generated during off-peak hours and releasing it back into the grid during peak demand periods.
Minister Moyo also revealed that the government secured a portion of a US$310 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of India.
This funding will support the refurbishment of six old units at Hwange. However, additional funding remains a priority to ensure sustained progress.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Boosts Hwange Power Output With Unit 6

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), has begun the process of decommissioning three small thermal power plants due to rising operational costs.
The three power plants are located in Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati, respectively.
Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zesa-decommissions-three-thermal-stations/">The Herald</a> that the ageing power plants are now too expensive to run. He said:
<blockquote>
The thermal power plants with a combined capacity of 240 megawatts (MW) ceased generating electricity between July and September 2023.
The decommissioning decision was made in October last year, and the process is now underway.
At an average age of 75 years, the thermal plants significantly exceed their intended lifespan of 25 years, and operating them has become financially unsustainable.
The running cost of Bulawayo station, for example, had ballooned to roughly 46 US cents per kilowatt-hour, making its continued operation unviable.
</blockquote>
A former ZESA engineer said the decommissioning of the power plants is an important step towards the generation of more sustainable and cost-effective energy in the country. Said the engineer:
<blockquote>
While the timing may seem inopportune given the existing power shortages, decommissioning these ageing, inefficient plants is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective energy future for Zimbabwe.
An analysis of the power plant’s cost per kilowatt per person reveals its inefficiency, highlighting the rationale behind its decommissioning.
</blockquote>
According to daily power generation statistics released by the Zimbabwe Power Company on Wednesday, 22 February, the small thermal power stations were not generating electricity at all.
Hwange was producing 969 MW, Kariba was generating 571MW and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), were generating 35MW to give a total of 1 575MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Decommissions Three Small Thermal Power Stations

The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Edgar Moyo, has said private sector investments in Zimbabwe’s power sector have been negatively affected by currency-induced risks.
Moyo told <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/business-digest/article/200021234/currency-crisis-holding-back-power-deals-govt">The Independent</a> that the Government will ensure that a cost-reflective electricity tariff is in place to capacitate power utility ZESA Holdings and attract investment from the private sector. He said:
<blockquote>
Everything hinges on currency convertibility. Everything hinges on the capacity of the off-taker (of electricity) to pay through a cost-reflective tariff, which is now being addressed. These are some of the measures that have been put in place to attract investments.
The other thing is that we are not looking so much from outside. We want to mobilise resources internally for the upgrade and integrity of our transmission infrastructure and the development of new lines.
We are looking at the current route towards cost reflectivity to capacitate the utility (ZESA) to improve our transmission.
We have said the private sector must play its part. The government will remain largely as a regulator and not an active player.
Beyond that, we are inviting the private sector through policy formulation (especially) the indexation of the tariffs to the US dollars.
</blockquote>
In October, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) awarded ZESA a 2 US cents tariff increase, taking the price to 12 US cents, from 10 US cents.
However, the current average power price per kilowatt hour (kwh) in southern Africa is 12.54 US cents.
The majority of Zimbabweans pay for electricity in the local currency, which depreciated by over 700% this year alone.
The country is currently generating just over 1 000 megawatts (MW) per day against a national demand estimated at 1 800 MW.
On Wednesday, 27 December, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), which is ZESA Holdings’ power generating unit, said the country was generating a total of 1 187 MW.
Hwange Power Station was producing a paltry 382 MW even though its installed capacity is over 1 000MW.
Kariba South Hydro Power Station was generating the bulk of the power, 750MW, despite dwindling water levels in Lake Kariba.
ZPC said independent power producers (IPPs) were generating 55MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Low Electricity Tariffs Holding Back Investments Into Energy Sector - Minister

The Minister of Energy and Power Development, <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Edgar_Moyo">Edgar Moyo</a> has said load shedding is set to ease in the coming days with Hwange Power Station’s Unit 7 expected to resume power generation this week.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/load-shedding-to-ease-unit-7-back-online-this-week/">The Sunday News</a> on Saturday, Moyo said the reduction of demand due to the closure of industries and schools for the festive season will also result in reduced load shedding.
Unit 7 tripped two weeks before it was due for Class C maintenance resulting in longer power cuts.
In an effort to reduce the time-out, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) had to combine the inspection and repair works of the actual displacement unit with the Class C maintenance which is set to be completed on Tuesday, 28 November.
Minister Moyo also revealed that Unit 8 would be taken off as it was also due for Class C maintenance. He said:
<blockquote>
Unit 7 will be synchronised this week by Tuesday or Wednesday following the completion of maintenance works.
After a few days, Unit 8 will be taken off the grid for similar maintenance works.
However, we expect to witness reduced demand for electricity as most industries and schools close for the annual holidays.
As such we want to leverage this to maintain this unit but overall, it should translate to eased load shedding.
Actually, one of the units carrying about 80 megawatts came through, another one will be coming through in a day or two’s time with 120MW.
</blockquote>
Speaking to ZTN Prime, recently, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) Board Chairperson David Madzikanda revealed that the power utility ZESA Holdings was financially constrained to import electricity from neighbouring countries. He said:
<blockquote>
Generation at Kariba is very much depleted largely because of water inflows. Secondly, we have not been able to import as much as we should be, because if we were importing, we would be filling in the gap.
The other reason is that the old power stations which are which are stations in Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati are currently not running. We are almost at the stage of shutting them down.
The other problem has obviously been to do with the fact that Unit 7 (at Hwange Power Station). For those reasons, we have shortages of power.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe requires 1 850 megawatts per day and on Friday the country was generating 1 285 megawatts, with 41 megawatts coming from independent power producers (IPPs), while Kariba and Hwange were producing 570 megawatts and 674 megawatts respectively.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hwange Power Station’s Unit 7 Back Online Tuesday, Unit 8 To Be Taken Off For Maintenance

The Minister of Energy and Power Development, <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Edgar_Moyo">Edgar Moyo</a> has said that the country will start experiencing reduced load shedding at the end of November when Hwange Thermal Power Station’s Unit 7 is back on the national grid.
Last month, Unit 7 was taken off the national grid to undergo Class C Maintenance, a statutory procedure that requires the unit to be taken off the grid after running for a defined period. The unit has a capacity of 300 megawatts.
Responding to lawmakers during a question and answer session on Wednesday, Minister Moyo, however, said it will take time for the country to be able to generate enough electricity to end load shedding. He said:
<blockquote>
We are going to begin to experience reduced load shedding at the end of November when Unit 7 comes on board.
However, on complete load shedding, at the moment I cannot give a timeline because we are working on repowering Units 1 to 6 and each time we are repowering these units, we are going to be taking one unit out at a time. Once it is repaired, we take another unit.
It is going to take a little bit of time, but however, we are banking mainly on independent power producers that I have said are currently projects that are ongoing up to about 600 megawatts.
I cannot give that timetable, but we are working towards that. In terms of power import, we expect to eliminate that by 2025. That is how I can respond.
</blockquote>
Minister Moyo said the country’s electricity shortages have been exacerbated by the depressed generation at the Kariba Power Station due to dwindling water levels in the dam. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes indeed, we are going through a depressed generation in all our power stations in the country at the moment.
The reasons are: firstly, hydrological issues at Kariba Dam where our water levels have since gone so low that we now have a depressed generation at Kariba.
Our normal storing capacity in Kariba is 1050 megawatts but we are currently running between 250 and 300 megawatts and that is already a depressed capacity for generation.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe requires at least 1 800 MW but on Thursday, the country was generating a total of 1 212 MW. Hwange was producing 674 MW, Kariba was generating 500 MW, and 38 MW were coming from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

No End In Sight To Load Shedding - Minister Moyo

Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo said that electricity generation in the country has improved following the completion of maintenance works at Hwange Power Station’s Unit 8 last week.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/improved-power-supply-as-zesa-completes-unit-maintenance/">The Sunday News</a>, Moyo said Hwange Unit 8 was under maintenance works for a number of weeks and this affected the electricity supply leading to power cuts. He said:
<blockquote>
Unit 8 at Hwange Power Station had been off for a while undergoing maintenance works.
It is now back on line and this is why you realise that the electricity supply has improved.
What we also have to understand is that at times we get frequent breakdowns or faults hence it might not be necessarily load-shedding.
Load-shedding occurs when we have a mismatch in the supply of electricity and its demand.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the unavailability of Unit 8 forced the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to increase power generation at Kariba Hydro Power Station. He said:
<blockquote>
Our supply is not always constant; it depends on a lot of variables for example at Kariba Power Station we are now reducing productivity due to hydrology issues where water is now very low.
We are trying to stretch power generation up to the end of the year. However, sometimes if one of the units at Hwange Power Station has a problem, we increase generation at Kariba.
On the other hand, if our units at Hwange are giving us good production, we reduce at Kariba to save water. So it’s never a straight line.
As government however, we remain committed to the provision of uninterrupted power supply in order to be able to drive the industrialisation agenda towards an upper-middle-income economy.
</blockquote>
From 01 September to 22 September, Kariba Power Station was producing up to 925 megawatts, which was significantly more than what Hwange Power Station was generating.
However, from 23 September, power generation at Hwange improved with last Wednesday’s production going up to 1008 megawatts.
On Monday, 02 October, Hwange was generating 970MW, Kariba was producing 611MW, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were generating 21MW to give a total of 1 602MW.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7arLh9XoAAAAjR?format=png&amp;name=large"/>
Zimbabwe’s electricity consumption stands at above 1 800 megawatts.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Electricity Supply Improves As ZESA Completes Hwange Unit 8 Maintenance

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has dispatched officials to investigate claims some school authorities in Harare were turning away pupils for non-payment of fees.
This was said by Edgar Moyo, who is Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister during the Question and Answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to MPs, Moyo said disciplinary action was being instituted against school authorities that were violating the Ministry’s directive that pupils should not be sent home for non-payment of school fees. He said:
<blockquote>
Schools are not allowed to send away students. The contract of school fees payment is between the school and the parents and not the students.
Where schools are sending away children who have not paid fees, there are penalties.
The penalty is a charge that is attracted by that action.
As I speak, yesterday (Tuesday) we got information that some schools here in Harare sent away children who had not paid fees and this morning our officers were in those schools where we expect charges to be preferred against the culprits.
If those cases are reported to us, we take corrective measures.
As I have already indicated, I may not name the schools in Harare where we sent officers this morning to go and interview the children, interview the teachers, the heads, with a view of preferring charges on those headmasters.
When I say charges, I am referring to disciplinary processes where we prefer a charge and say in terms of this section, you have committed an act of misconduct.
</blockquote>
Arguably, the main reason why some parents in Zimbabwe are unable to pay school fees for their children is the prevalence of poverty.
Zimbabwe has a high poverty rate and many families struggle to make ends meet. In such cases, paying school fees may not be a priority for some families.
Moyo also said measures were being taken against schools that were rejecting payment in local currency and accepting payment in foreign currency only.
Schools are allowed to set their fees in US dollars but if a parent wants to pay in Zimbabwe dollars, they use the prevailing interbank rate on the date of payment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

School Heads Under Probe For Turning Away Learners Over Non-payment Of Fees

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Edgar Moyo, has stated that disciplinary action is being taken against school heads who refuse to accept payment of school fees in currencies other than the US dollar, as it is a form of misconduct.
He emphasized that the government policy requires all legal tender currencies to be accepted for fee payment and that all school heads are aware of this policy.
Moyo made the remarks in response to questions in the Senate regarding measures taken against school heads who flout government directives on school fees. He said:
<blockquote>
If they are transgressing and departing from what is policy, then they are committing an act of misconduct, which is chargeable in terms of our disciplinary procedures. 
So, if that is happening and you could give us the name of the school and the head, our officers normally will be sent to the school to investigate, and disciplinary procedures will be instituted against the offending school heads.
</blockquote>
Deputy Minister Moyo stated that the Ministry recently issued a circular outlining acceptable modes of payment for school fees, which include US dollars, Zimbabwe dollars, and digital payment methods such as swipe or EcoCash.
The Ministry is investigating reports of school heads who are turning away students who do not pay fees exclusively in US dollars, and disciplinary action is being taken against those who are found to be in violation of the government’s payment policy.
While the Deputy Minister did not provide details on the number of heads or schools facing disciplinary measures, he encouraged the public to report any such incidents to the Ministry.
<h2><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Disciplinary Action Against School Heads Refusing Non-US Dollar Fees

The Government says it is illegal for schools to force parents to buy uniforms from them.
This comes after parents across the country have complained that schools are forcing them to purchase expensive uniforms.
In some cases, learners whose parents buy uniforms from shops are denied admission by schools.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister, Edgar Moyo, said parents are free to buy school uniforms wherever they find them affordable. He was quoted by <a href="https://cite.org.zw/illegal-for-schools-to-force-parents-to-buy-uniforms-from-them-govt/">CITE</a> as saying:
<blockquote>
Children being forced to buy uniforms by schools is illegal. We have a free market economy and parents are supposed to buy wherever they have a cost advantage.
</blockquote>
Moyo acknowledged that the Ministry was aware that certain schools and school heads were forcing parents to buy uniforms from the schools. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes indeed, it has happened and some of it has been brought to our attention and we have taken action against such schools and headmasters.
No school should force children to buy uniforms from them nor should they create a situation where if you have not bought a uniform from them, then you have not gotten a place. That is not allowed, it is illegal.
</blockquote>
Moyo urged parents and guardians to report names of schools that required them to buy student uniforms at their schools so the ministry could take action. He said:
<blockquote>
We would like to get evidence of that and even the names of such schools so that we can then take corrective measures.
</blockquote>
In January this year, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) wrote to the Goromonzi High School headmaster demanding that he allows two pupils into the school despite their failure to buy uniforms sold by the school.
According to ZLHR, Goromonzi High School said it is its policy that all pupils buy uniforms from the school and those bought even from renowned retailers such as Enbee Stores are not accepted.
ZLHR was representing the father of 2 minor children whose children were barred from attending lessons for not buying uniforms from the school even though they paid school fees in full.
The human rights lawyers demanded that the school’s headmaster unconditionally allow the minor children to attend lessons and permit them to purchase uniforms from a retailer of their choice.
In the event that the Headmaster failed to comply with the demands, ZLHR said they will immediately petition the High Court on an urgent basis seeking an order to compel the school authorities to allow the minor children to pursue their education at Goromonzi High, with the headmaster bearing the cost of the litigation.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Illegal For Schools To Force Parents To Buy Uniforms From Them - Minister

The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Edgar Moyo has absolved the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) of complicity in the leakage of examination papers.
Speaking during the question and answer session in the Senate on 29 March, Moyo said school authorities working in cahoots with police officers were responsible for the leakage of examinations. The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/schools-connive-with-police-to-leak-exams-minister/">Chronicle</a> quoted Moyo as saying:
<blockquote>
We also have the police officers who are there and when these papers are being removed from the strong room to the classroom for invigilation, it is not one person who takes those papers.
The whole system is water-tight in terms of security. We have integrity issues by some of our personnel at the school level and where the papers leaked, there was a kind of working together in cahoots by officials at the school.
When people agree and connive to do a crime, usually they will succeed because there is no one who is going to let the cat out of the bag.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the process of producing an exam paper starts at ZIMSEC offices and is automated. He said:
<blockquote>
Our papers are developed by paper developers and then they are put into what is called a grade maker, which system banks the questions and which system uses random pick up of question papers.
There is no interface between the question papers and human beings. All those things are automated.
Then the transfer of those papers from ZIMSEC head office to our Norton printing press is done technologically and there is again no human interface. It is wired to the machines.
Those machines are just feeding codes and then the paper is run and again there is no interface until the paper is packed.
People will be just watching and papers will just be rolling. They are being cut, and packaged and the whole system would have been set, then the papers will go out.
The only interface is when those papers are then put into boxes to be delivered to schools.
… If you look at what happened last year, you will find that the leaks of those papers did not occur anywhere between head office, printing and delivery of papers to the centres.
The evidence that we have is that the papers leaked when they were at school.
</blockquote>
Moyo also said most of the exam leaks occur at schools run by acting headmasters, who have nothing to protect. He said:
<blockquote>
It is happening in the sense that in most of those schools where we have paper leaks, the personnel there are usually acting heads of schools and not substantive heads.
We have been talking to PSC to ensure that most of our heads are graded to substantive level so that they have something to protect.
Those who are just acting have nothing to protect and they just let go of things.
</blockquote>
Last year, 5 156 Advanced and Ordinary level candidates’ results were nullified for having pre-access to examination papers.
In February this year, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Evelyn Ndlovu said the Government intends to appoint an Independent Commission of Inquiry to assess whether ZIMSEC is doing the right thing or they are leaking the examination papers.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Schools, Police Officers Responsible For Exam Leakages - Minister

The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Edgar Moyo said that there is no law that says Advanced Level learners should do a certain number of subjects.
An A’ Level candidate is expected to write three subjects and attain a minimum of two “E’s”, that is, two points in two different subjects to be considered to have passed.
But Moyo said that is just a custom and practice and not based on any law. He said:
<blockquote>
The more subjects you learn the greater conceptualisation of the areas that you will be learning.
For example, if someone is doing Pure Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Statistics, the concepts build into each other and help you in other subjects.
The requirement of two or three A’ Level passes at university is just a custom and practice. There is no law that stipulates that.
It emanated from that a child with three subjects which are related, he/she can find a career.
However, the challenge of doing more subjects might be that there will be more workload for the student especially if they are not really gifted and it also becomes a burden to the parents in terms of financing.
</blockquote>
The issue has been topical in recent weeks after a former Ruya Adventist Secondary School student Tadiwanashe Mavetera scored 10As in the November 2022 ZIMSEC A’ Level examination.
Moyo said they have noted the debate and concerns being raised by the public and as the Ministry of Education, they will discuss the matter. He said:
<blockquote>
We have not really sat down to discuss this issue as a Ministry but it is something that we are just noting.
The public has been raising this issue of high grades so at some point we might need to sit down and look at it probably to come up with a policy because policies come up because of what will be obtaining on the ground.
At the moment what I can say is that we are noting the concerns.
</blockquote>
At Pamushana High School in Bikita, 103 students scored more than 15 points each, with the school’s best student, Abraham Ndlovu attaining 30 points after getting straight As in Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Pure Mathematics and Statistics. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/high-passes-do-not-affect-exam-credibility-zimsec/">The Sunday News</a>

Three Subjects At A' Level Is Just Custom, Not Law - Deputy Minister Moyo

The government says it will gradually start implementing its State-funded free education policy when schools open for the first term next week.
Speaking in an interview with State media on Tuesday, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo said:
<blockquote>
The free education effort is not starting this year. It has been building up for some time. As for Matabeleland South, I know that two districts, Mangwe and Beitbridge pioneered the issue of free education and it was two districts across the country’s rural provinces where Government was fully paying for learners.
In our statement last year, we highlighted that it is not going to be everyone who will be covered. It is going to be a phased approach, beginning with the most disadvantaged communities classified under our systems and coded as P3, which are the rural primary schools, and S3, rural secondary schools.
Our efforts are going to be targeted at those areas and gradually we are going to realise full State-funded education. We have started through BEAM and the pilot program where two districts were covered.
We will gradually begin, with the most disadvantaged schools and move up the ladder until we are able to cover the whole population.
</blockquote>
The government already subsides the payment of Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) registration fees by up to 55 percent for every learner while fully paying the fees for those pupils under BEAM.
Around two million disadvantaged learners’ fees are paid for under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) from the estimated 6.7 million pupil population. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/government-explains-free-education-policy-school-fees-reprieve-for-disadvantaged-rural-pupils/">Chronicle</a>

Free Education Policy Won't Benefit Everyone In 2023 - Govt

The Government is seriously considering introducing Spanish as an optional language in public schools.
This was revealed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education after the Spanish ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Santiago Gomez-Acebo made a courtesy call on Minister Evelyn Ndlovu and her deputy, Edgar Moyo.
Posting on the official Twitter page, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education <a href="https://twitter.com/MoPSEZim/status/1455900393720930315?s=20">said:</a>
<blockquote>
The Ambassador of Spain His Excellency Santiago Gomez-Acebo paid a courtesy call to Hon. Dr Ndlovu and her deputy Hon. Moyo to lobby for Spanish as an optional language for primary and secondary education so as to create an opportunity to do business with 700 million people.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDRlTcvWEAcwpTz?format=jpg&amp;name=4096x4096"/>
</blockquote>
In an interview with CITE, Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Taungana Ndoro, confirmed there was a high possibility Spanish could be adopted in public schools, as an optional language.
Ndoro conceded that for that to be achievable, Zimbabwe would need to produce teachers who can teach Spanish in public schools. Said Ndoro:
<blockquote>
The possibility of this happening is very high. In some of our private schools, you would find that Spanish is already being offered as an optional language.
But the proposal here from the (Spain) ambassador was to request for our public and government schools to also offer Spanish as an optional language.
Obviously, it would require issues to do with teachers who are competent and teachers who are trained also in Spanish so that they may be able to teach Spanish.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/govt-mulls-introducing-spanish-in-public-schools/">CITE</a></h4>

Govt Mulls Introducing Spanish In Public Schools

The 2021 Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) examinations will start at the end of November for Grade Seven candidates, while Ordinary and Advanced Level pupils will start writing in mid-December overlapping into 2022.
This was revealed by Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo while responding to questions in Parliament on Wednesday. Moyo said:
<blockquote>
The examination dates have only been given so far as when they are going to begin and that is the end of November for Grade Sevens.
Mid-December, we are going to have the O and A Levels which are going to overlap into 2022.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the ministry believes children would have been prepared for examinations by that time. He said:
<blockquote>
With regards to the point that children have lost time, we are employing catch up strategies to ensure that the children do catch up and one of them is through blended learning where we are using different learning and teaching platforms.
Inclusive of that is going to be materials that are going to be given to children. Some of them have been given those materials and e-learning is also underway so that they do catch up.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) chief executive officer, Sifiso Ndlovu said although the exams could be written starting at the end of November, there was a need for exam papers to be set according to what learners would have been taught. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
Learners have to be assessed on what they have covered and exam papers should be set according to that. Another issue is on CALAs (Continuous Learners Assessments), this is a long process of coursework and considering limited learning time learners can be assessed in one activity.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, Takavafira Zhou recently said pupils need three months of uninterrupted time of learning in order to cover the time lost through lockdown before they are ready to sit for examinations.
He said learners should write exams around mid-January to February next year when teachers would have completed their syllabuses.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/public-examinations-timetable-released/">The Herald</a></h4>

ZIMSEC Exams To Spill Over Into 2022

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said teachers who have not reported for duty will face disciplinary action following revelations that by Friday last week, slightly over 32 per cent of teachers were not at work.
In an interview with State media, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo said when schools reopened some teachers did not report for duty.
Moyo said the ministry will continue to monitor the attendance of teachers and relevant disciplinary action will be taken against those who do not report for work. He said:
<blockquote>
The majority of our teachers had gone to work on Monday but what is concerning is that some had not reported for duty while learners were there.
Last Friday an average of 67,4 per cent of teachers were at work and the difference could have been that some teachers responsible for non-examination classes were waiting for their pupils to open on Monday.
We have rules and regulations guiding our operations and if teachers abscond, they will face disciplinary action.
</blockquote>
He said if teachers have grievances, they must wait for them to be addressed by relevant authorities rather than making learners sacrificial lambs. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Parents are paying school fees and we want them to get value for their money and this is possible if their children are learning.
Teachers shouldn’t violate the rights of learners in order to compensate for theirs. They must be patient and their problems will be solved.
</blockquote>
Moyo also warned schools against turning back learners for non-payment of school fees.
He said some parents had lodged complainants that children were being turned back from school.
He said school authorities had to engage parents over the payment of fees without inconveniencing learners.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/disciplinary-action-for-absconding-teachers/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Govt Warns Absconding Teachers

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education says it will assess the preparedness of learners to write the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) exams this year before the specific dates for the exams are set.
Schools reopened for examination classes on 30 September and non-exam classes on 6 September amid concerns that learners will not be prepared to sit for public examinations this year, especially considering that the term ends on 17 December 2021.
While some schools have been conducting virtual lessons and radio lessons, there have been concerns that some learners, mainly those in rural areas, have technology access issues and were not benefiting from the intervention.
On Monday the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education launched a toll-free line, and parents used the opportunity to express their concerns about the preparedness of their children to write exams.
Responding to the concerns later in an interview with State media, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo said:
<blockquote>
One of the concerns raised by parents was on the preparedness of the children for exams.
At the moment I can’t say anything definite about the exam calendar, but as the term continues, we will be assessing the preparedness of learners and we will be getting updates on the progress being made in schools and then the ministry will make an informed decision, which will be in the best interest of learners.
We have launched a toll-free line 317, which is a platform for stakeholders to get in touch will the ministry.
We tested the toll-free line during the launch and we received calls from parents who were airing out their concerns.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, teachers’ unions have argued that learners are not prepared as they lost learning time during the prolonged COVID-19 breaks, basically a full term of school.
They want examinations to be postponed to next year when pupils will have ample time to catch up on time lost during the lockdown.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/preparedness-to-determine-exam-dates/">The Herald</a></h4>

Preparedness To Determine ZIMSEC Exam Dates - Govt

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Edgar Moyo said that exam classes will be attending school every day while the others will alternate days of attendance.
He revealed that as part of national strategies to decongest classrooms and ensure physical distancing, they had approached some organisations that have tents to assist schools.
Deputy Minister Moyo, however, said he was yet to get an update on how many schools have received the tents. He said:
<blockquote>
Preparedness is an ongoing thing and we are happy with preparedness so far. Key PPEs in schools range from masks, sanitisers and disinfectants and other infrastructural considerations such as availability of classrooms and other amenities such as water.
When we look at masks it’s a tall order to supply masks for all 4,7 million pupils we have in schools. We are advising parents to provide reusable masks for learners.
If about 80 per cent of learners can afford to bring masks, then schools will assist the remaining ones who are less advantaged. 
Government has availed $500 million to ensure that schools have the necessary resources when they open.
Most sanitisers have been bought and delivered to some schools. However, procurement is an ongoing process.
We visited a number of schools in order to assess the level of preparedness and all had disinfectants and sanitisers or washing soap. 
What is now outstanding are the masks which we hope that parents will provide for most children.
</blockquote>
Deputy Minister Moyo said learning space remained a problem and schools have been instructed to continue with hot seating in order to decongest classes.
Schools open today for examination classes and the rest will resume classes on 6 September.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/hot-seating-tents-to-decongest-classes/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Hot Seating And Tents To Decongest Classes

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education requires at least 40 000 more teachers to address the critical manpower deficit in the education sector.
This was said by deputy education minister Edgar Moyo during a recent interview with State media.
Over the past few years, the government had frozen the recruitment of teachers citing budgetary constraints and the problem of a shortage of teachers in schools has been exacerbated by the need to run smaller classes because of COVID-19.
Moyo revealed that Public Service Commission (PSC) recruited more than 12 000 teachers in the last two years in order to address manpower shortages in schools. Moyo said:
<blockquote>With the current enrolment rate, we need more teachers to address the issue of the deficit. We have employed about 12 000 teachers over the last two years, and now we are talking of 40 000 more that we require.
This number has been revised upwards as a result of the need for social distancing in schools hence lower numbers in class and more teachers to take care of all pupils.
The recruitment of teachers so that we have sufficient establishment is an ongoing exercise.</blockquote>
Moyo said the education ministry has since made a request to the Treasury for the recruitment of teachers.
He, however, said the number of teachers to be recruited would depend on the availability of resources.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/ministry-requires-40-000-more-teachers/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Education Ministry Requires 40 000 More Teachers

Primary and Secondary Education deputy minister Edgar Moyo on Monday said the government is working hard to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in schools as happened when classes resumed in late 2020.
Last year, about 500 pupils were infected with COVID-19 at various schools — including John Tallach in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi High School in Mashonaland West.
Speaking during an interview with the Daily News on Monday, Moyo said the government is making sure that schools follow World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations. He said:
<blockquote>We are hopeful that last year’s situation will not repeat itself. We are doing our best to make sure students continue learning. We want schools to limit the spread of COVID-19.
This is a national issue and it must not be isolated. We must work together to make sure that our learners are safe.</blockquote>
This comes after Prince Edward High School in Harare and Dove Secondary School in Mberengwa have recorded COVID-19 cases.
46 confirmed new COVID-19 cases involving learners, educators and non-teaching staff have been recorded in Harare and Mberengwa after schools opened for face-to-face lessons on 15 March.
Prince Edward High School initially reported seven COVID-19 cases last week after all its boarding pupils had undergone tests at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
A total of 32 Prince Edward learners are currently quarantined, while the staff members are self-isolating at home.
The government barred learners from travelling back to their homes during this past Easter holiday in a move meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
<h4>More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/government-frets-over-situation-in-schools/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Daily News</a></h4>

Government Frets Over Situation In Schools

Deputy Primary and Secondary Education Minister Edgar Moyo on Thursday admitted that there are insufficient teachers at schools to cater to a high volume of learners when the last batch of pupils return for classes next week.
Teachers in public schools earn a fraction of what the government pays soldiers, police officers and prison guards and as a result, they have refused to return to work demanding a living wage.
Schools are expected to open on Monday for Forms 1 and 2, Grades 1 to 5 and Early Childhood Development (ECD).
Moyo said only 39 per cent of the teachers have been reporting for duty since schools reopened for examination classes on 28 September but the number has been dwindling over the past few weeks. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>The successful re-opening of phase three would require more teachers to attend classes because their numbers currently are insufficient to handle large volumes of students who will be coming in, which is about three million.
Attendance by learners started at 95% and attendance by teachers was at 39% of total teachers. These figures have continued to decline.</blockquote>
Moyo also said there was a need to procure 10 million washable masks which are not readily available.
The examination classes for this year and 2021 will attend school every day while the attendance of phase three classes will be staggered.
In order to enforce social distancing, Moyo said there would be hot sitting at some schools.
Schools were closed in March to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus which causes the respiratory disease called COVID-19.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/11/chaos-looms-at-schools-minister/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

There Are No Teachers And Masks In Schools - Minister

ZUPCO will reportedly exclusively provide transport for teachers and pupils once schooling resumes next week, Sunday News reports. According to the publication, the parastatals is working with the education ministry to ensure that learners and teachers are safely transported to and from school.
The development was confirmed by ZUPCO CEO Everisto Madangwa who said;
<blockquote>We are readying ourselves for the re-opening of schools so that come schools opening our fleet will be ready to transport them to and from school. We will actually have a special arrangement reserved for all the students and teachers</blockquote>
The education deputy minister Edgar Moyo said they were working hard to ensure that transportation of learners and teachers is conducted in a smooth manner:
<blockquote>Our aim is that we create a smooth way for the learners, teachers and ancillary staff from their homes to school and back to their home. We do not want a situation that this becomes a leeway for the spiking of Covid-19 cases by exposing them hence we are working at an inter-Ministerial level to ensure that the necessary logistical arrangements are put in place especially regarding the issue of transport.
We had the same special arrangement when we had the June exams, so we will continue from that this time around, it will be more of a special arrangement because we want these examinations to be held without any notable hiccup</blockquote>
Concern has been raised over how students and teachers will commute particularly in urban areas since the government maintained a ban on kombies since it prohibited them in March 2020. The government did not shed more light on the possibility of commuter omnibuses ferrying pupils and teachers to and from school.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/exclusive-zupco-buses-for-teachers-pupils/">Sunday News </a>

ZUPCO To Provide Busses To Be Used Exclusively By Teachers And Pupils

Treasury recently allocated $350 million to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for the acquisition of more than four million face masks among other materials needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when schools open on 28 July.
Speaking to Sunday News, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo said schools will not buy the face masks but they will be provided by the Government. Moyo said:
<blockquote>Some circles have claimed that we are imploring schools to produce their own face masks which is far from the truth.
All we are saying is that these schools produce the face masks then we purchase from them, so the schools can get money to fund their individual projects.
As you might know, the ministry got $350 million from Treasury a couple of weeks ago, which is the money that is being used to make all these procurements ahead of this phased reopening of schools.
Yes, we are not as 100 per cent ready as we would want but it’s an ongoing process.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe will reopen schools at the end of this month, with examination classes – Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six – returning first.
This is part of a phased approach towards the opening of schools that will see other classes opening in phases.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/46m-free-masks-for-school-children/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

Schools Not Yet 100 Per Cent Ready To Reopen - Deputy Minister

The government has not yet established the date for the reopening of schools for the second term.
While schools were set to reopen on May 5, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown the calendar into disarray, with the country currently on lockdown.
Deputy Primary and Secondary Education Minister Edgar Moyo said only President Mnangagwa would announce the reopening of schools after consultations with his team and advisors. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>In terms of the school opening calendar, we are still looking at the dates.
We will stand guided by any pronouncement made by His Excellency the President after consultations with his team and advisors. We will look at the progression of the disease in terms of how well we manage to contain it.
We are preparing at the moment, but we cannot anticipate when schools will be opened because this is a function of reading how well we manage the disease.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has provisionally postponed the start of the June 2020 examinations by a month.
The exams body said that the provisional dates were subject to change depending on the position taken by Government at the end of the lockdown period on May 3.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/schools-opening-put-on-hold" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Opening Of Schools Delayed

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Edgar_Moyo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Edgar Moyo</a> has said his Ministry was working with the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_School_Examinations_Council" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC)</a> to come up with Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees agreeable to both the examinations board and parents.
Moyo added that the new exam fees will be announced soon and that parents who had already paid fees announced by ZIMSEC recently (and reversed by the government) should be refunded. He said:
<blockquote>Initially, the actual examination fee was pegged at $190 per subject (O-level) but we later learnt that some parents could not afford to pay due to current economic challenges which is why the ministry reverted to the 2015 fees of $15 per subject while in the process of coming up with the exact examination fee that will also assist Zimsec board in preparation of the examinations.
No one has exact information or time frame on the outcome but what can be hazarded for now is that pupils that had already paid $190 for June examinations will be refunded their monies. We have asked the Government and various financing models to intervene and see how much they are willing to assist as a means to compensate the Zimsec board.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, ZIMSEC public relations officer Nicky Dlamini refused to comment on the issue of refunds. She encouraged parents to wait for the new exam fees.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/government-to-announce-new-exam-fees/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></h4>

ZIMSEC To Announce New O' & A' Level Exam Fees Soon

Teachers have been castigated for their attitude as some of them are reportedly not teaching pupils during normal hours so that they can demand foreign currency to conduct extra lessons for the same pupils.
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Edgar_Moyo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Edgar Moyo</a> warned teachers against the practice, reminding them that it is not only the education sector that is facing challenges. He said:
<blockquote>What is worrying now is that it seems teachers are not teaching during their normal working hours. They seem to deliberately delay covering the syllabi so that they have an excuse to conduct extra lessons for a fee.
That should stop forthwith. Everyone is facing challenges, its not just the teachers and they should abide by the law.</blockquote>
Some teachers have resorted to charging foreign currency to conduct extra lessons, with reports indicating that pupils are asked to pay at least US$12 a month.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/government-crafts-law-to-criminalise-extra-lessons-zacc-probes-forex-schools/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

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