Premature opening of schools suicidal
ON June 17 2020, the High Court ordered that the Primary and Secondary Education ministry (MoPSE) should provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to teachers and learners, disinfect schools and meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines by June 26.
However, we are disappointed that the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) has decided to proceed with the exams without complying with the High Court order. We were surprised that on June 27, the MoPSE presented a rosy picture of the level of preparedness in schools.
Having engaged the heads of schools who clearly indicated that they have no capacity and funds to run the June examinations, we, the undersigned Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe, now therefore, state that:
Government has trivialised our contributions as if we are a nonentity in the education sector.
Government disregarded recommendations made by parliamentarians.
lIssues raised about fumigation of schools, provision of PPE, schools being used as quarantine centres and WHO guidelines and standards have not been adequately addressed. The truth of the matter is that the majority of schools haven’t been fumigated yet and the process has been left to the schools to do it. Where fumigation has taken place, it has in some instances been done by people without technical and professional expertise. Our understanding is also that there must be a specified period between time of fumigation and time of occupation of the rooms because some chemicals could be harmful, especially to teachers and candidates who are asthmatic.
There is no testing of teachers for COVID-19 done so far despite the fact that they are being asked to congregate from various places and backgrounds.
lTeachers are incapacitated and thoroughly demoralised. Expecting teachers to report for duty after getting a mutilated June salary, ravaged by inflation is asking too much from an already distressed workforce. Government has not put in place mechanisms to assist teachers so that they can navigate the vagaries of poverty.
The MoPSE has not provided teachers with letters to enable them to travel without being harrased by the security forces.
Way forward lUntil the MoPSE and Zimsec meet WHO standards in their entirety and resolve the quandary of travel documents, transport costs and payment for invigilation, teachers will not be available for invigilation. The health, safety and welfare of teachers and pupils can only be ignored at their own peril. Unions will cover any legal costs to settle disputes that might arise as a result of victimisation or misconduct charge preferred by authorities.
Teachers who are above 50 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions who partake in the invigilation exercise without adequate safety measures in place as is the condition now will be doing do so at their own peril. If a member contracts the COVID-19 or dies of the disease, the respective head, the Primary and Secondary Education minister will be held responsible and made to compensate the affected teacher(s).