Zimbabwe government on Wednesday announced it has decided to postpone the opening of schools and educational institutions in the country planned for next week as the number of coronavirus cases continues to surge, reported CGTN Africa.
The government had previously planned to reopen schools for the first term of 2021 on January 4. But, a teachers’ union had put a petition before the High court to stop the reopening of schools, saying it was not safe for students to return to class.
In a notice addressed to learners, parents and other stakeholders, Tumisang Thabela, the Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, said that public examinations would still proceed as scheduled on January 5.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to advise its valued learners, parents, guardians and other stakeholders that in light of the surge in COVID-19 infections and the new and more contagious variants of the disease as well as the threat posed by Cyclone Chalane, government has seen it fit to deviate from the previously announced 2021 school calendar that directed schools to open on Jan. 4, 2021,” Thabela said.
She said the government will announce new opening dates in due course after monitoring the situation.
Zimbabwe has recorded over 13,300 Covid-19 cases and 359 deaths. The country is already witnessing a second wave of infections as there are more cases and deaths recorded daily. This week, the daily cases have averaged more than 100, compared to less than 50 last month. The Ministry of Health and Child Care reported 177 new cases and five deaths on Tuesday.
Considering the spike in coronavirus cases, some health experts are even calling for another total lockdown to curb rising infections.
Furthermore, Cyclone Chalane, which has since downgraded to a tropical depression, hit Zimbabwe from Mozambique early on Wednesday, and the country is expected to get continuous rains until January 1.
