Home General Open churches, bars and weddings first before schools: ARTUZ

Open churches, bars and weddings first before schools: ARTUZ

by BustopTV

By Kudakwashe Vhenge

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has opposed government’s decision to reopen schools urging it to open bars and churches instead.

The rural teachers union said bars and churches must be allowed to operate first before schools so that they can assess the infection risk of the gatherings.

“Desist from an impulse opening of schools without ensuring that it is very safe to do so,

“Open churches, bars and weddings first before schools to assess the contagious effect of gatherings of 50 plus people,

“Ensure that the Coronavirus epidemic is totally under control before taking the steps of opening of schools,” reads part of ARTUZ statement.

This follows an announcement by Minister of Information, Monica Mutsvangwa during cabinet briefing yesterday that schools will now reopen on the 29th of July.

Previously government had stated that schools will open this month.

The cabinet extended the date citing the need to engage treasury, other stakeholders and partners to mobilize for the provision of adequate resources.

The vibrant teachers union reinstated their position that government should desist from reopening schools until their concerns are addressed.

Some of the recommendations suggested entails that government should ensure the verifiable fumigation of all schools before they open as well as at regular intervals thereafter.

Schools that are being used as quarantine centres should go through rigorous fumigation and confirmed safe by competent personnel in the Ministry of Health and Childcare.

Government has also been urged to reduce teacher-pupil ratio to 1:20 through employing more teachers urgently.

“On opening schools 136 000 teachers and almost 5 million learners will be admitted in our schools.

The teacher compliment will have to boosted by 90 000 teachers to achieve social distancing in our classrooms and plug the gap of staff shortage.”

ARTUZ has previously jointly authored petitions with 6 other Teacher Unions meant to furnish upon government on measures that should be undertaken for safe schools opening.

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