Non-examination classes’ pupils who attend boarding schools converged at various pick-up points around Harare accompanied by their parents to board buses to their respective schools ahead of the resumption of learning this Monday.
Early Childhood Development classes, grades one, two, three, four and five, as well as Forms One and Two, return to school this Monday, joining the ongoing intense learning programme designed to ensure pupils catch up on lost learning time.
It was a hive of activity at most pick-up points in Harare, with parents expressing mixed feelings over the reopening of schools.
“The situation with teachers needs to be resolved and we plead with the government and teachers associations to come to an agreement for sanity to prevail.”
“We are paying a lot of money for children to attend school and we need to get value for our money.”
According to authorities, non-examination classes will not attend school daily but instead will alternate attendance days to allow for proper implementation of social distancing.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema told the Herald, schools will not be allowed to crowd learners. Depending on the operational procedure of each school, some schools will do hot-seating while other students will be given specific dates for coming to school.
“Let us not get the impression that there is anarchy. There is no anarchy at schools. We are ready to welcome all learners back to school. It is all systems go, we are starting our exams in December.
“Let us allow the school heads to manage the schools as best as they can under the situation. We have recruited 5 300 more teachers. So it is those teachers who will assist us to manage the situation,” said Minister Mathema.
