Andrew
Conrad Mupesa
Government has commended some schools for joining the fight against coronavirus through making protective health sundries.
Speaking at the launch of the Schools Covid-19 Response Programme in Mashonaland West Province last week, a cabinet minister said the entrepreneurial initiative was in line with the competency-based academic module.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Ambassador Cain Mathema said this would contribute towards the attainment of national health targets.
The programme was launched at Chikangwe High School in Karoi where eight schools from Mashonaland West Province exhibited protective health products they have produced.
Zimbabwe, and the world at large, is battling the coronavirus scourge having recorded four deaths from 34 confirmed cases as of yesterday afternoon.
As part of measures to contain the virus, the country has extended lockdown by another two weeks with effect from midnight. The pandemic has triggered a demand for personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as face masks, sanitisers, gloves and other disinfectants.
Applauding the schools for rising to the occasion, Minister Mathema said participation of learning institutions in the Covid-19 fight was an indication they heeded Government call which said “Every hand on the deck to combat the spread of Covid-19.
“It is in this vein that I want to thank the schools in Mashonaland West for utilising the infrastructure they already have to make a contribution to the war against coronavirus.
“This is the entrepreneurial initiative articulated in our competence-based curriculum.
“I have no doubt that initiatives like this will make an important contribution towards the achievement of the national health and education goals by 2030.”
Briefing the minister on the exhibitions, Chikangwe High School head Mr Richard Nyanzira said the school received a $10 000 donation from the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association to start producing facemasks.
He said the school had made 3 500 face masks and was now moving towards production of sanitisers.
Chinhoyi High School head Dr Saviours Mutopa, whose institution’s alcohol-based sanitisers have been approved by Government, said: “Production has been solely funded by the school and we are managing to produce at least 200 litres a day.
“Container branding logos are being designed by our students who take Art as a subject.”
Other schools that participated at the programme launch include Moleli High, Kutama College, Sandringham High and St Michaels Mission School.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West Province Mary Mliswa-Chikoka also attended the event.
Online Reporter