by Innocent Mujeri

Government has indefinitely deferred re-opening of schools that had been scheduled for 04 January next year on the backdrop of a spike in positive COVID-19 cases and the threat posed by Cyclone Chalane.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said the new 2021 School Calendar will be announced in due course as Government continues to monitor the situation.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to advise its valued learners, parents, guardians and other stakeholders that in light of the surge in COVID-19 infections and the new and more contagious variants of the disease as well as the threat posed by Cyclone Chalane, Government has seen it fit to deviate from the previously announced 2021 School Calendar that directed schools to open on 04 January 2021,”reads the statement from the Ministry.

The Ministry further informed that 2020 ZIMSEC “O” and “A” level examinations will resume on 5 January 2021 to 5 February 2021, as previously announced.

The Ministry added that dates for the opening of schools next year, will be announced in due course.

“Having deferred the opening of schools beyond 4 January 2021, the dates for the commencement of the 2021 School Calendar for all primary and secondary schools will be announced in due course,” reads the Ministry’s statement.

Government urged schools heads to continue with preparations for the safe opening of schools and the public was urged to continue observing all COVID-19 health regulations.

The deferment of schools re-opening is part of measures adopted by the Government to slow down the spread of the virus. As of yesterday, the country had 2 089 active cases of COVID-19 and 354 people had succumbed to the diseases since March this year, when the disease was first detected in Zimbabwe.