By Mubanga Mubanga
Government has postponed the opening of schools from January 8, to January 29, 2024, due to increased cases of cholera.
And the government says to catch-up on the time that will be lost during the three week extension, schools in term two will only close for one week.
At a media briefing yesterday, Education Minister Douglas Syakalima said in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease, the government has put in place measures affecting different wings of society including the Ministry of Education.
He said while the government was concerned about the negative impact the pandemics have had on the education sector in the past, safeguarding the lives of communities remained a priority.
“It is for this reason that the National Disaster Management and Mitigation Council of ministers at its meeting on Wednesday January 3, 2024, that is yesterday (Wednesday), decided that all public, private and community learning institutions that is from early childhood education centers, primary and secondary schools, remain closed for a further three weeks, after the official opening date of 8th January 2024. This means that schools will only open on Monday the 29th of January, 2024,” Syakalima said.
He further said the grace period which was earlier given to grade eight and 10 learners, has now been overtaken and all learners are expected to open on January 29, 2024.
“Therefore, in order to catch up on the lost time, the first term holidays will only run for one week instead of weeks, implying that schools will close in term one on the 26th of April instead of 5th April, 2024. And open for term two as scheduled for on 6th May, 2024,” he said.
The minister has since advised parents and guardians to ensure that they prepare their children for term two even before term one closes in view of the short holiday time.
Syakalima said during the prolonged closure, all learning institutions should be thoroughly cleaned up, have clean water and sanitation facilities, adequate hand washing points, detergents and disinfectants, in addition to the provision of preventive guidelines already in schools.
He ordered that learning institutions should maintain a high level of hygiene at both personal and institutional level as guided by the Ministry of Health.
In addition to the above, the minister said school inspections and sensitisations will be intensified at all levels in order ensure compliance to the guidance.
Syakalima said in order to keep the learners busy during this extended closure, the Ministry has encouraged parents and guardians to allow their children to make use of the available alternative modes of learning provided by the Ministry which included ZNBC on EDU TV channel and internet based platforms.
He said the Ministry has taken a cautious approach to re-opening schools and for this reason, he was calling for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to ensure that schools are safe and ready to re-open after three weeks.
