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Joseph Madzimure and Leroy Dzenga

Stakeholders in the education sector have backed Government’s decision to defer the resumption of classes following the spike in local Covid-19 infections, with some even suggesting that 2020 be abandoned as an academic year.

On Tuesday, Cabinet announced that the re-opening of schools, which for exam forms was scheduled for July 28, would be deferred until expert advice gave the green light.

This means schools have only been open for two months this year, most of the first term.

Zimbabwe National Teachers Union (Zinatu) chief executive officer Mr Emmanuel Nyawo thanked President Mnangagwa for the move.

“As Zinatu, we thank the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for being highly sensitive to the demands of time and taking the right course of action,” Mr Nyawo said.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe said it appeared unsafe to reopen schools. In an interview, Primary and Secondary Education Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chair Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said it was encouraging that Parliament and the executive were speaking from the same position.

“We welcome the decision, which was the position we had from the onset,” she said. “When the President first instituted the lockdown, he said something poignant when he said we can always work to rebuild the economy, but we cannot resuscitate the dead.

“Equally, we can always pick up the school calendar when it is safe to do so, but we cannot bring back teachers, learners and parents that would have been lost.”

Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga said there need for clarity on what would become of the rest of the school year.

“There is anxiety among parents and learners; they are not sure if the deferment is temporary or will cover the rest of the year,” she said.

“Government must be clear on whether or not they intend to reopen schools this year.

“As a committee, we are suggesting that we reopen when it is perfectly safe to do so and it does not appear like that is possible this year.”

Experts in the field have said there is need for a final decision regarding schools reopening.

Educationist and senior lecturer in the Department of Technical Education at the University of Zimbabwe Dr Peter Kwaira said deferring the reopening of schools was the natural decision to take, considering the present circumstances.

“I think there is no way out,” he said. “It is a good decision given the time we are in. I would further suggest that we concede that 2020 is a lost year. “The teaching environment needs to be safe, peaceful for both teacher and learner, and in the context of Covid-19, it will not be possible for this to happen, especially with cases rising.”

Dr Kwaira said learning should not be to tick boxes, but to impart knowledge to learners and ensuring they internalise the content.

Another educationist, Mr Farai Ngondo, said Government had taken the right decision as it was inevitable to defer schools opening, considering the situation obtaining on the ground.

“In as much as there is some pressure on the Government to fulfil a constitutional right, which is the right to education, the right to life supersedes everything,” he said.

“Research has it on record that grown-up people have been seen around in the hoods and at workplaces not observing lockdown restrictions. What more would we expect from juveniles?”

In light of the fact that positive cases are on the rise, said Mr Ngondo, it would be wrong to allow children to return to school while tightening the lockdown on the other hand.

An analyst Mr Rodger Pote said Government has noted with concern the safety of students, teachers and their families.

Another analyst Mr Collen Maradzano said on a broader scale, the decision was indicative of the fact that the Zimbabwean Government was “a government for the people by the people.”

“The Government has to be applauded for being a pro-people establishment, which values life more than anything else,” he said. “Such measures to curb the and avoid the tragic loss of life are an epitome of excellence by a people-centred governance.”

Government has promised to continue reviewing the situation.