Varsities, colleges in phased re-opening

UNIVERSITIES and colleges can begin to open by June 8 but only in a phased manner starting with final year students, Minister of Higher Education Brian Mushimba has said.

Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Dr Mushimba said that a cautious approach to reopening will be implemented with strict adherence to Covid-19 regulations on social distancing , washing hands , masking and avoidance of unnecessary gatherings .

He said that the opening of the higher learning institutions will be implemented in a phased approach and subject to readiness to resume classes.

Dr Mushimba said that in the first phase, final year graduating students and those in final exam classes will resume classes and that this was applicable to all public and private Universities and colleges. Dr Mushimba further said that his ministry would continue working in close collaboration with other stakeholders such as the ministry of Health , ministry of Local Government and provincial administration.

‘’Graduating students will be the first ones to commence lessons and subsequently write their exams based on calendars approved by their respective senates while foreign graduating students will continue with e-learning and their exams will be conducted online,’’ Dr. Mushimba said.

TEVETA colleges and other colleges will open on July 1, 2020. The TEVETA examination sessional dates will be reduced to two sessions this year. Examination that were scheduled for April/ May will be held from July 27 to August 2020.

The minister said that exams that were scheduled for July/May would be held from December 8 to 23.

Dr Mushimba noted that returning students will be required to bring their own masks, soap and hand sanitizers as these will not be provided by the Universities and colleges .

He said that before institutions re-open they will need to be inspected and certified ready by the authorities.