No winter break for students

There will be no winter break for schools this year, the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) has said.

This is despite calls from Botswana Teachers Union and Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) that schools be closed for the winter duration.

“This is a period that some flu like symptoms escalate hence increasing the chances of Covid-19 infections. The closure would give chance for the inoculation of teachers against Covid-19 before they return to schools,” teacher unions said in a letter to Minister of Basic Education Fidelis Molao last week demanding that teachers be vaccinated.

Speaking to The Midweek Sun this week, ministry spokesperson Oarabile Phefo said there was provision for midterm break in the previous years, but such will not be the case in 2021 as there is need to maximise on contact time amidst the threats posed by Covid-19.

“This year the calendar has not provided for mid-term break given the disruptions caused by Covid-19 in 2020 as well as this year”, Phefo said, explaining that 2021 has 199 school days.

There were 191 school days in 2020 but the calendar was adjusted to 180 school days as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the resultant schools closure.

This resulted in a departure from the original plan by 11 days.

Phefo said that according to the Education Act, a school calendar shall have 180 to 200 school days in a year. Phefo acknowledged that temperatures have gone down during the current winter season, thus, the Ministry has taken a decision that learners be allowed to dress warmly in winter and not be strict on the wearing of uniform colours.