Parliamentary portifolio committee against re-opening of schools

Schools in Zimbabwe are not yet ready to re- open for the scheduled public examinations slated for end of this month a parliamentary committee has said.

Recently ,the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) announced proposed dates for the Ordinary and Advanced level June examinations which are scheduled to commence on the 30th of this month.

However,parliamentarians objected the proposed plans to re- open schools early, whilst debating a report presented by Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi- Mushonga(MDC-T propotional representative), the chairperson of the Portifolio Committee on Primary and Seecondary Education on re- opening of schools in line with the deadly Covid 19 pandemic.

Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga reiterated that interactions her committee had with numerous stakeholders countrywide bears testimony that the country was not ready for the re-opening of schools.

She added that, the parent ministry need more revenue to facilitate all schools with water and other requirements whilst teacher’s unions are strongly worried over safety of pupils and teachers.

“All these stakeholders said we cannot proceed to re-open because the basics like running water, personal protective equipment and basic screening equipment that are needed for that and are not there,”said Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

She made reference to countries like South Africa and South Korea that had re- opened schools but were forced to close after a spike in infections.

Zanu PF Bikita- East (M.P) Cde Johnson Madhuku echoed similar sentiments reiterating that with the continuous rising numbers of infections it was premature to re-open schools.

“Most schools have no facilities for social distancing especially dormitories in boarding schools. There are also other logistical arrangements like transport that have to be put in place to enable schools to re-open,” Cde Madhuku said.

Mr Willas Madzimure,Kambuzuma (MDC- Alliance) added that some families had relocated to their rural homes since the inception of the Covid-19 induced lockdown and they are having challenges coming back.

“Even the consultations that I have done in my constituency show that people are not ready for schools to re-open,” said Madzimure.

Ms Muchaneta Muchenje (MDC-Alliance Proportional Representative) articulated that it was difficult to monitor that schoolchildren were adhering to required social distancing guidelines.

Zanu PF,Shurugwi North (M.P) Cde Robson Nyathi did not mince his words when he said there was no need to experiment with pupils lives,sincee lost lives could not be restored. Teachers’ unions who spoke to 263Bulletin reiterated that their members will not avail them selves to invigilate public examinations in four weeks. Zimbabwe Teachers Association(ZIMTA) public relations officer Ms Daisy Zambuko described the announcement of dates as sad.

“We are in the process of advising teachers not to risk their lives through participating in an exercise that does not guarantee their safety or health,” said Ms Zambuko.

Chief executive of the Zimbabwe national Teachers Union (ZINATU) Mr Manuel Nyawo equated invigilating to experimenting with death.

“Our members are pleading with us as the leadership of the union to reach out to Zimsec on their behalf and tell them in no uncertain terms that they are neither willing nor motivated to go into the jaws of Covid-19 for unpaid invigilation and free service,” Nyawo said.

ZINATU urged Zimsec to seek invigilation services elsewhere if they were not willing to reconsider their position on June exams. Besides safety concerns, which were present in all the unions’ communication, unions also raised an issue over outstanding invigilation fees.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe spokesperson Robson Chere articulated they were owed by Zimsec.

“Zimsec is frustrating our teachers. Some of our teachers are still being owed invigilation fees from June and November 2019 exams. That needs to be addressed, on top of the safety issues, which we are not compromising on,” said Chere.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe programmes officer Mr Ladistous Zunde said: “We are in consultations with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, but it appears they are going ahead with their planning.

“Our teachers are professionals. There is the issue of remuneration, our money is losing its value daily and teachers are demotivated by being put to risk without incentives, which is unfair.”

Government said it would continue to engage teachers before examinations begin on the slated dates.

Deputy Minister Primary and Secondary Education Edgar Moyo reiterated that unions must decist from using threats.

“In my view, we have about 24 days in terms of preparation; we are moving around ensuring that everything is in place before exams begin.

Deputy Minister Moyo added that dates were meant to provide a timeline within which things had to put in order.

He assured that, his ministry will continously engage teachers to reach a mutual agreement.

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