Opening of schools a gamble, slow genocide

WE stand firm and resolute in fighting the coronavirus pandemic as patriotic Zimbabweans and we join the rest of the world in pursuit of saving lives, promoting and ensuring that standard health regulations and procedures are being adhered to as well as the safety of all citizens.

We are under a serious threat from the coronavirus pandemic which has led to the closure of schools and other socioeconomic institutions worldwide to ensure the safety and protection of the children as they are the future.

It, however, appears like Zimbabwe is doing the opposite as it is ensuring the opening of all academic institutions as an experiment or gamble with children’s lives which will lead to genocide. It is our firm belief that this decision, which was made by the government, does not only contravene the mission of the world in the fight against coronavirus, but is a clear violation of section 8(13) of the Constitution which guarantees and expresses the need for government to protect the rights of children and provide adequate security.

Section 75 of the Constitution cannot be implemented if the environment is not safe, secure and healthy for a child, hence the need for the Zimbabwean government to adhere to the constitutional provisions.

We, as the Friends of Job Sikhala Solidarity Trust remain unshaken and offer our full support and solidarity to the world at large, independent institutions that are against the callous decision to open schools.

All Zimbabwe teachers unions applaud mainly the Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe for standing firm and also pointing out that this will not only be catastrophic to children and academics, but it will be disastrous to the teachers, hence the need to protect the safety of teachers.

The government is focusing mainly on gambling with the lives of children instead of curbing corruption and focus on resuscitating the deteriorating social and economic landscape which is already on its knees.

To the responsible institutions and ministries, we say it’s high time they stopped being concerned with self-enrichment at the expense of the children who are the future of this country and reconsider the callous decision now!

We stand firm and resolute in support of the statement issued by the Artuz.