Schools reopening date set

Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Reporter

THE Government has set 14 and 28 September for the reopening of examination classes with Zimsec final exams expected to commence on 1 December.

There has been speculation over resumption of classes for writing classes since Government deferred schools reopening in July citing the rising cases of local Covid-19 pandemic transmissions.

Schools were initially closed in March as part of the national lockdown regulations.

They were were however briefly reopened for candidates who were sitting for their Jun examinations.

In a post cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mrs Monica Mutsvangwa revealed that plans were now in full swing for the resumption of classes for final examination writing classes.

She said that already a number of key stakeholders had been consulted hence the coming up with the new dates.

“The schools opening dates are scheduled for 14 September 2020 for Cambridge Examinations classes and 28 September 2020 for Zimsec Examination classes. Cabinet approved that the Zimsec Examinations should start on 1 December, 2020.

“Fifteen stakeholders have submitted their inputs and another nine are expected to make their submissions shortly. Among those that were invited for inputs on the reopening of schools are the following: the Zimbabwe Visually Impaired Teachers’ Union (ZVITU) and nine other Teachers’ Unions; the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education; the Association of School Development Committees; the Independent Colleges in Zimbabwe; the Private Schools Association of Zimbabwe; and the Association of Trust Schools,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She noted that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is working closely with other Ministries and stakeholders to guarantee the safety of pupils and staff during the examinations period.

“Cabinet notes that based on on-going consultations with relevant stakeholders in that sector, the Ministry is continuing with its preparations for the re-opening of schools for the end of year 2020 final examination classes.

“Standard Operating Procedures have been distributed to all schools,” said the Minister.

Last week some teachers unions called for the deferment of the November exams to February next year citing the lack of preparedness from learners as they have lost learning time due to the Covid-19 necessitated lockdown.