adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE government has discouraged schools from conducting holiday lessons saying they were unnecessary and promoted profiteering.
In the last few years, holiday lessons had become a permanent feature in school calendars with some schools going to the extent of forcing all pupils to attend.
This became a challenge for children from poor families who would miss out after failing to pay the required fees.
Matabeleland North provincial education director Boitatelo Mnguni yesterday said in discouraging holiday lessons government was giving both teachers and pupils’ time to rest.
“Psychologically this is good for children as they need to rest. It will also give enough time for teachers prepare for the following term and evaluate the previous term,” said Mnguni.
She said all schools had been notified of the development.
“Since the beginning of the year we have been telling schools that we no longer want holiday lessons. Everyone seems to appreciate the move as no schools have sent applications to have holiday lessons,” said Mnguni.
Mnguni said an exemption was made for those schools that were affected by disasters such as floods that resulted in the closure of schools in Tsholotsho.
“We have schools that were affected by the floods and these schools have come up with holiday lesson programmes. They will be compensating for the time lost. By June we want all schools to have covered for the time lost,” she said.
Mnguni said pupils would not be charged for the lessons.
Online Reporter