Zimbabwe ponders over schools’ opening

By ZTN Correspondent

PARENTS in Zimbabwe want learners who are sitting for the national examinations this year to be given first preference when schools open.

The opening of schools for the second term has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Schools were scheduled to open on Tuesday 5 May and no alternative date has been announced yet.

Secretary General of Zimbabwe Schools Development Associations and Committees (ZSDA/C) Everisto Jongwe said: “The reopening of schools is tricky”.

For now, let us prioritise examination classes to open first, while we monitor the situation to see if it allows for the rest of the learners to go back to school”.

Government says it is considering a number of options which include adopting e-learning and reducing class sizes to enforce social distancing.

But Mr Jongwe believes the proposed options may be problematic.

“E-learning is difficult to implement. It will disadvantage other learners who cannot afford internet services. It’s not an option, in my view,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, 1.5 million learners are now accessing online lessons on the e-learning platform, Ruzivo.

There are an estimated 2,7 million pupils in Zimbabwe, according to the country’s statistics agency Zimstat.