by Staff Reporter
A contact within the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry has told this publication that the ministry has instructed all COVID-19 hit schools to close non-examination classes as cases of the deadly pandemic in schools are surging.
Zimbabwean schools closed end of March, this year as a way of reducing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and started re-opening in phases beginning 28 September for classes that were writing final exams this year.
The last phase consisting of Early Childhood Development scholars, Grades one up to five pupils as well as Forms one and two students opened on the 9th of November.
Several cases have so far been recorded in different schools across the country, which has resulted in the education ministry to resolve sending back home students in non-examination classes.
So far 400 cases have been recorded in Matabeleland North, 88 cases at Chinhoyi High School in Mashonaland West, 20 cases at All Souls Mission in Mutoko, 52 cases at Waddilove and Goromonzi High Schools, the three schools are in Mashonaland East, 19 cases at Anderson Adventist in Midlands, 11 at Mtshabezi High School, 10 at Matobo High School, both schools are in Matabeleland South among other cases.
The Ministry according to the contact, resolved to send back students from non-examination classes and focus on active cases, which involve students who are sitting for examinations, while measures in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) are being implemented. The contact went on to say that operational guidance and counselling teams who are taking care of the psychological needs of students were already in place.
Health analyst, Dr Phillip Kwaramba said the emerging trend in the rise in COVID-19 positive cases in schools is a cause for concern and as such there is need for strict monitoring of health protocols in the schools in a bid to avoid a catastrophic outbreak of the virus.
Government has since distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes face masks and sanitisers among learners in a bid to minimize the spread of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, ongoing examinations countrywide are progressing very well with the Government continuing monitoring the situation on the ground to make sure that it is successfully contained.
