THE Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads (ZINUSH) has called on government to consider closing schools until winter passes in bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 in learning institutions.
By Patricia Mashiri
ZINUSH president, Mr John Muzamani said in a statement that it was in the interest of children and teachers’ safety not to open schools early.
With regards to schools reopening, we suggest that all schools remain closed throughout the winter season and consider reopening when it is warmer and relatively safer. That should be around mid- August. When the time to reopen schools comes, the Government needs to consider reopening first those schools in districts that would not be under localized lockdown.
“Those schools in hot spot districts need to remain closed and be opened on a case basis and under strict monitoring. Testing and vaccinating of teachers must be done first every time a school reopens. Furthermore, we feel that schools must be treated as separate entities when Covid 19 cases are found in schools, that is, government must close those schools with cases and monitor how they can return to normalcy while those without cases are allowed to remain open but exercising caution.
He added that while schools may supplement in purchasing Personal Protective Equipment in schools, it must remain Government’s responsibility to avail adequate PPEs in schools through engaging many different stakeholders and partners.
“As such local Environmental Health Technicians (EHTs) may be used to monitor PPEs adequacy in schools and recommend closure or opening of the schools.”
He added that schools should have safe running water to enable the washing hands and sanitizing during COVID-19 times.
“Note that the availability of safe running water in schools needs equal attention as PPEs and schools should open only when there are measures in place to make water readily available in schools. Over and above all, we urge government to increase testing and vaccination of teachers before opening of schools to prevent mass spreading when schools reopen,” Muzamani said.
