The government has threatened to deregister private schools that are currently operating before the stipulated opening day with reports of colleges conducting lessons circulating.
Zimbabwe suspended the opening of schools for the Second Term with fears that operating of educational facilities will result in the spread of COVID-19.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema in a statement said,” Following reports that some private schools and independent colleges have started re-opening schools, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to reiterate that the date for the start of the phased re-opening of schools still remains 28 July 2020.”
“The Ministry would like to warn some authorities of Trust schools, Private schools and Independent Colleges that flout the directive that it will not hesitate to de-register their institutions should they continue to defy Government directives on the re-opening of schools. Please, none of us must endanger anyone’s life and health during this COVID-19 pandemic.”
The re-opening of schools will start with phase one which will be focusing at examination classes including Form Fours, and sixes; and also Grade Sevens.
Phase Two will focus on classes writing in 2021, which will also be split into two and on Phase three the rest of high school learners Grades Three, Four and Five will also return to school.
Lower Grades in primary schools will return to schools after the settling in of all the other Grades.
Early childhood development classes will be the last to return to schools.
Earlier on, the Primary and Secondary School Minister had said that the government was impressed by the progress made by private schools in preparing to re-open under COVID-19.
Government teachers have however argued that educational facilities are not ready for reopening with educationists associations dragging the government to court to block the opening of schools.
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