Schools preparing for safe re-opening:

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said school fees and levies will be paid after the re-opening of schools.

The ministry is also working with schools to meet health guidelines through the provision of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect learners and teachers from health hazards while ensuring systematic phased re-opening.

Responding to questions from The Manica Post, the Ministry’s Director of Communications and Advocacy, Mr Taungana Ndoro said, “Schools that wish to review their fees and levies should submit their budgets in Zimbabwean dollars. No school is allowed to open its doors to the learners during this lockdown period until further notice.”

Mr Ndoro said Government will avail resources for the purchase of PPE for teachers and learners to avoid disharmony since schools’ financial and material resources differ.

He further said given that the re-opening of schools has been deferred, the ministry will take advantage of the window period to ensure that schools procure the necessary PPE.

Schools, especially rural and satellite ones, have highlighted that they want Government to assist through bulk procurement of PPE and related sundry, including sanitisers, face shields, water containers and rapid testing kits. Boarding facilities also require fumigation services, as well as the re-designing of dormitories and dining halls to encourage physical distancing and improve ventilation.

Said Mr Ndoro: “The ministry is urged all schools to adhere to the World Health Organisation as well as the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s guidelines on sanitisation, physical distancing and the need to wear face masks.

“Government has since availed funds to the ministry to ensure that our schools procure the PPE for teachers and learners. The ministry will continue to work with schools to procure the PPE so that they are ready to combat the spread of Covid-19 when they eventually re-open,” he said.

When asked about the strategies that are in place to cover up for learning losses during the current school closures, Mr Ndoro said, “Radio lessons and online learning, as initially planned, will continue as one of the alternative learning platforms. Lessons that involve physical contact between the learner and the teacher will only be done after schools are re-opened.”

In Chipinge, the district schools inspector, Mr Richard Gabaza recently said rural schools in the district are incapacitated to meet re-opening requirements.

“As we are monitoring the June examinations, we are also monitoring production of PPE in schools. Rural and satellite schools are in need of protective wear. Some schools, especially boarding and secondary schools, are manufacturing their own hand washing facilities, sanitisers and face masks.

“We are happy with the progress and will continue monitoring production. We hope that by the time schools re-open, more PPE will be readily available,” he said.

National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) president, Mr Arthur Maphosa said the health of learners and teachers is invaluable.

“Opening schools at the moment would have been a trap. Nash fully agrees with Government’s position and recommends opening post winter. September to December can be Term Two while January to April can become the Third Term. Final exams can be written during that term,” said Mr Maphosa.

He, however, highlighted the problems that come with e-learning.