Luanshya disinfects schools

LUANSHYA district has begun disinfecting schools ahead of the reopening of schools on February 1, this year.

According to District Commissioner (DC), Patrick Maipambe, the exercise which started on Tuesday will run up Saturday, this week.

Both public and private schools were being disinfected.

“We have started disinfecting schools to create a clean learning environment for our learners. The gesture will even be extended to private schools to make the exercise inclusive as Government does not want to leave anyone behind,” he said.

Mr Maipambe said the Hindu Society of Luanshya had donated 80 litres of chemicals which was being used in the exercise.

He however said the district was still expecting more chemicals from other stakeholders including Luanshya Copper Mines and Antelope Milling Limited.

The DC said the exercise would be done in collaboration with the local authority department of public health and the Ministry of health.

Luanshya District Education Board Secretary(DEBS), Chilombo Kabwe, said all was going on well and that the schools were cooperating.

“We have engaged all our school head teachers to make available their schools for the purpose of disinfection before learners come back,” Mr Kabwe said.

He said the district required 100 kilogrammes of granulated Chlorine for the exercise.

The Luanshya DEBS added that his office had no financial capacity to facilitate the disinfection exercise and had since engaged stakeholders to come on board.

Mr Kabwe said that his office had sourced face masks . for learners through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

Schools will reopen on Monday after Government postponed the opening date from 18th January 2021.

The shift was meant to allow education facilities to reinforce Covid-19 health guidelines aimed at protecting learners and teachers.- ZANIS