Chronicle EditorThandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Reporter
Government has urged all teachers to get vaccinated against Covid-19 pending the opening of schools which is imminent.
Schools are now ready to open and by then teachers should have been fully vaccinated to decrease their chances of contracting and dying of Covid-19 which has killed 4 138 Zimbabweans.
To date, a total of 2 091 550 people have received their first dose of the vaccine which is being rolled out to all eligible members of the public in health centres countrywide.
Schools closed on June 4 and were set to be opened on June 28 but re-opening was postponed because of the pandemic. President Mnangagwa is yet to announce when schools will open and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education says all is set for the opening of schools.
In an interview, the ministry’s spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro urged teachers to make the most of the vaccination programme before schools open.
He said a directive on those who will not be vaccinated by the opening of schools will be shared once crafted.
“The ministry strongly encourages all teachers to get vaccinated in preparation for schools opening as a measure towards preventing and managing the spread of Covid-19 in our schools. Despite the record speed at which they have been developed, Covid-19 vaccines have still been subject to the same checks, balances, and scientific and regulatory rigor as any other vaccine, and shown to be safe,” said Mr Ndoro.
He said a combination of political will, global collaboration and funding has enabled the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines, without compromising vaccine safety.
“The currently available coronavirus vaccines have been demonstrated to be safe for adults of various ages, as well as those with chronic health conditions. We therefore encourage all teachers who have not yet been vaccinated to strongly consider taking the jabs for their safety; the safety of their learners and the safety of their families and their communities,” he said.
He said the Ministry was continuing to ensure that schools are ready for learners.
“We are ready although we can never be 100 percent but progress has been made and once the President gives a nod, we will resume lessons and welcome our learners back to school,” he said.
Mr Ndoro said a number of donors and development partners were assisting schools with resources in the prevention and management of Covid-19.
He said some were assisting schools with PPE while others were assisting in development of water and sanitation facilities and classrooms.
“We have a number of projects that are ongoing as we speak. Boreholes and new water sources have been drilled at Mwewele Primary, Mahlalufikile Primary and Kana Primary in Matabeleland North Province. In Manicaland Province, Tonhorai Primary (Mutare), Munyoro High, Chitova Primary have had their roofs repaired. Munyoro High school also embarked on the programme of reducing three-seater desks and replacing them with single-seater desks to allow for physical and social distancing.”
Meanwhile, in view of the prolonged closure of schools due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, learners should utilise distance learning materials accessible on the ministry’s website: https://mopsezw.learningpassport.unicef.org/, he said.
Most schools in the country have a challenge in enforcing physical distancing due to limited learning space. Schools have had to conduct lessons on a rotational basis to decongest classrooms.
Cabinet recently announced that as all civil servants should now be vaccinated, those unvaccinated will no longer be entitled to Covid-19 insurance and as it cuts duty staff to 25 percent to decongest offices on two-week rotations, with vaccinated staff will be given priority. — @thamamoe
Online Reporter