By Tirivanhu Kateera
Government says teacher attendance rate across the country for this week surged 5.71 percent compared to last week owing to a realization by some educators that dialogue should be given a chance.
The increased presence of teachers in the country’s schools is a major blow to the country’s detractors, who, in recent weeks have been carrying out numerous despicable operations to completely close the schools.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, said the situation in schools was improving significantly.
“Regarding primary and secondary education, Cabinet was informed that grade 6, form 3 and lower 6th classes resumed on 26 October 2020, under Phase 2 of the re-opening of schools.
“The overall learner attendance rate for Phase 2 was 32.02%, with the highest attendance rate being recorded in Masvingo province (54.95%) while Matebeleland North and South had the lowest, with 7.10% and 13%, respectively. The overall teacher attendance rate for the week was 27.16%, representing a 5, 71% increase from the 21.45% recorded last week,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
Some teachers are on strike ostensibly pushing for a higher salary and they are rejecting every offer being put on the table by government.
The country’s schools closed in March as part of measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
