By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Zimbabwe’s Teachers Association (ZIMTA) has warned against the reopening of schools as this will raise the number of confirmed COVID 19 cases in the country.
This comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that public exams classes and final year students must proceed learning in the ongoing lockdown.
This has raised fears that due to the teacher-pupil ratio social distancing will not be practising thereby increasing the Covid-19 infection risk.
A number of schools in the country are being used as COVID -19 quarantine centres for returnees.
In a statement, ZIMTA said the Zimbabwean education set up does not meet the requirements of the World Health Organisation guidelines of social distancing as most classes are overcrowded.
“Sadly, this announcement is in direct conflict with the situation obtaining on the ground where schools are being used as COVID 19 quarantine centres. This raises the simple question, where are these classes expected to be carried out if these institutions are being used as quarantine centres? The quarantine process of returnees has been marred by the huge influx of border jumpers who are taking advantage of some of the countries’ porous border posts, leaving the country vulnerable to further infections.
“Average classes have a teacher to pupil ratio of about 1: 60 and such a large class cannot ensure effective social distancing. The alternative would be to split the class which in turn requires the employment of another teacher. Without effective social distancing in schools, these institutions will easily turn into high infection zones with catastrophic results. The government needs to attend to that before there is any talk of re-opening schools,” reads the statement.
In regards to the health system in Zimbabwe, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) will be another area of concern.
“Looking at the way Government has handled industry by merely giving instruction without the financial backing in regards to the issue of testing employees, leaves a lot to be desired. Schools most of which have dried up coffers are in no position to avail PPEs to Educators and pupils leaving this burden in the hands of Government. Other schools of thought are encouraging the government to transfer the burden of PPEs to parents however the extended lockdown has left most households poorer than before as all informal traders are still banned from conducting any business activities.
ZIMTA added that teachers need to be trained effectively to issues in regards to COVID – 19, if not then no lessons will be conducted.
