Schools 'Lock Out' Learners
Parents at some schools in Masvingo and Bulawayo withdrew their children from schools this Monday as there were no teachers.
Today was the first day the majority is pupils returned to school since the coronavirus lockdown was imposed in late March.
Parents who spoke to The Mirror said they had been told by school authorities that they can leave their children if they so wish but there were no teachers.
The publication’s efforts to get a comment for the Provincial Education Director, Zedius Chitiga were fruitless as his phone went on unanswered.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesman, Taungana Ndoro said he was yet to get reports from provinces about the situation on the ground.
Meanwhile, in Bulawayo, some learners found the gates at some school premises locked forcing them to go back home or wait for their parents and guardians.
Other schools reportedly sent parents messages prior the opening day telling them not to bring in their children.
Some schools have reportedly even come up with a calendar of teaching days where classes have been assigned two days of learning per week.
Bulawayo Provincial Education Director, Olicah Kaira, told CITE she was unaware that schools were turning back learners. She promised to investigate.
The examination sitting classes – Grade 7, Form 4 and Form 6 re-opened on September 28, the second group – Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Sixth classes went back on October 26, while the rest of the classes were to follow on November 9.
Teacher unions said teachers are incapacitated and cannot go to work until the government restores their salaries to the pre-October 2018 levels when they earned between US$520-US$550. They are currently earning roughly US$40 per month.
