Tag: schools

Zambia Postpones School Opening Due to Cholera Surge

Healthtimes

Lusaka Times In response to a surge in cholera cases, the Zambian government has announced the deferment of the 2024 Term One school opening from the initially scheduled date of January 8th to January 29th. Education Minister Hon. Douglas Syakalima made the official announcement today in Lusaka, emphasizing the need to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease. Minister Syakalima clarified that this postponement applies to all public, private, aided, and community learning institutions, including Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers, primary, and secondary schools. Learners at all levels are…

Read More

Let us make schools places of learning about respect and equality

Healthtimes

An estimated 246 million children and adolescents experience violence in and around school every year. By Lidia Arthur Brito and Hubert Gijzen It is estimated that globally 246 million children and adolescents experience some form of physical, sexual or psychological violence in and around schools each year. Violence in schools, can be detrimental to learners. Many of us have seen disturbing videos circulating on social media in the ESA region, of young people either being bullied or being part of those bullying others. These were not isolated cases. In a…

Read More

#JUSTIN: Prepare For Schools Reopening In Three Weeks Time

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister who is also the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Dr Constatino Chiwenga has announced an extension to the current lockdown by another two weeks in order to give schools and parents enough time to prepare for the reopening of schools soon after the lockdown. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Dr Chiwenga said schools will be given at least one week after the two week renewed lockdown period to put COVID-19 preventive measures in place before classes resume. Schools will be given at least one week…

Read More

#JUSTIN: Gvt Postpones Schools Opening For 2022 First Term

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE President, Emerson Mnangagwa has announced that only examination classes will resume classes as announced by the Ministry while the general school calendar has hereby been delayed until further notice. By Michael Gwarisa In a Televeised address, President Mnanagwa said the move was in line with the Lockdown level two which has been extended by a further 2 weeks, after which an appropriate review will be announced, guided by a scientific appreciation of the situation. “Examination Classes exempt from this delay are however expected to strictly comply with preventive measures.…

Read More

Zim Gvt In Schools COVID-19 Vaccination Blitz For 16 To 17 Year Olds

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwean government has announced a jump in the national COVID-19 vaccination numbers over the past seven days at the back of increased uptake of vaccines in the 16 to 17 years age groups in schools countrywide. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during a Post-Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the cumulative number of vaccines administered in the previous week increased significantly following the extension of vaccination towards the 16 to 17 year olds in schools. On the national vaccination programme,…

Read More

Gvt Institutes Measures To Contain COVID-19 In Schools

Healthtimes

CABINET has announced a raft of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in schools following indications that schools have become the latest COVID-19 hotspots. HealthTimes Reporter Briefing Journalists during a post-Cabinet Media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the number of cases recorded went up to 1 669 this week and the education sector contributed significantly to this increase. Government has, therefore, instituted the following measures to contain the COVID-19 surge in schools,” she said. Some of the measures include: enhancement of surveillance and…

Read More

Closure Of Schools Not An Option

Patricia Mashiri

EVEN though the country has begun recorded pockets of new infections especially in schools, it is  not wise to close schools at the moment, Public Health Experts have warned. By Patricia Mashiri Schools especially in Mbereengwa have been recording new COVD-19 infections of late, prompting some parents to push for closure of the schools before the situation spirals out of control. However, local health experts believe the situation was still under control and there was no need for halting studies. Speaking to HealthTimes, Mr Itai Rusike, the Executive Director for…

Read More

COVID-19 In Schools: What Is The Way Forward?

Dr Grant Murewanhema

AS the third wave settled, there was a huge outcry for the re-opening of schools, and I personally added my voice to the sentiments. And even today when asked, I would echo the same sentiments too. Prolonged closure of schools is not good for the pupils for several reasons. Not only do they lag behind in terms of their education and social development; they also get exposed to several hazards in society. By Dr Grant Murewanhema What quickly comes to mind is the risk of indulging in drugs, early sexual…

Read More

Breaking: Schools Reopening Extended By Two Weeks

Michael Gwarisa

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa’ has announced that cabinet has agreed to postpone Schools Reopening in the midst of surging Covid cases. By Michael Gwarisa She briefed Journalists this evening during a post cabinet media briefing where she highlighted that schools opening will be delayed by a further two weeks. In view of the regional and local upsurge of cases, the nation is informed that Cabinet approved that the reopening of schools and other learning institutions be delayed by 14 days. Government will be monitoring the situation…

Read More

UNESCO’s Rapid Training Programme On Open, Distance And Online Learning Reaches 1 400 Teachers

Michael Gwarisa

AS with many countries across the world, 2020 saw Zimbabwean schools abruptly closed as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. The closure of schools for almost a year seriously impacted school outcomes and reversed some important post-independence gains in areas such as literacy and numeracy, school infrastructure, and school attendance, among others.   Most public schools did not have the capacity to offer distance or online learning since, in addition to a lack of infrastructure and resources, teachers were neither equipped nor trained to offer this type of learning. While…

Read More