The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
FOR the first time in six months, public schools flung open their gates last week as both teacher and pupil sought a restart in a Covid-19-inspired strange new world.
The novel coronavirus had threatened to keep classroom doors shut, but measures taken by Government and citizens since March to contain the effects of the virus seem to have paid off.
Lessons have resumed.
Prior to face-to-face learning, some schools, particularly private institutions, had resorted to e-learning.
To minimise disruptions to the academic calendar and to ensure continuity, Government recently eased lockdown measures to allow schools to resume lessons.
Students preparing for the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) examinations reopened on Monday last week while next year’s exam classes — Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Six — will resume studies on October 26.
Just over a week later on November 9, ECD A and B, Grades 1 to 5 and Forms 1 and 2 will return to school.
The Sunday Mail visited some schools in Harare to assess how learning is proceeding and to check whether health guidelines, among them wearing of masks, hand sanitisation and maintaining of social distancing are being followed.
“You look all grown up now,” said a teacher who was busy sanitising pupils at Dzivaresekwa High 2 on Monday.
“It has only been six months and you look different, I hope you can still spell your name,” she added in jest.
High Achievers Academy students having a discussion while maintaining social distance on the second day of the schools reopening , in Harare recently. — Pictures: Tawanda Mudimu
For several months, Government and school authorities struggled with the question of how to resume classes without endangering the health and lives of both learners and their teachers.
Government came up with a number of measures including splitting classes into smaller groups, mandatory wearing of masks and washing of hands at school gates.
It is mandatory that contact surfaces like sinks, toilet seats and door handles are disinfected frequently. This is the reality of life under the pandemic — which pupils seem to have quickly adapted to. At the schools, classrooms are continuously disinfected while social distancing is the new norm.
According to the Standard Operating Procedure for the Prevention and Management of Covid-19 drafted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, pupils should not exceed 35 per class. The learners must be seated a metre apart. As learning takes place, windows remain open to allow fresh air into the classroom.
Schools have staggered break times while sporting activities were scrapped. Other institutions are mulling introduction of night classes.
However, after class, it is evidently difficult for pupils to maintain social distancing as they closely interact with their friends.
The Sunday Mail witnessed learners hugging and shaking hands — in complete disregard of the health guidelines against Covid-19.
The prolonged schools closure robbed pupils of precious time in class and extra effort is required to catch-up.
“I think we should work hard and prepare fully for our examinations,” said one pupil.
“It’s a tricky season in that we have Covid-19 to fight and on the other hand we have to be in class. We had one term to learn. Unlike our counterparts in private schools this is our first encounter with teachers since March.”
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Ambassador Cain Mathema said strategies will be put in place to ensure that pupils catch up.
“There will be strategies this year and next year, like suspension of sports, introduction of weekend classes and crash programmes,” he said.
However, veteran educationist Dr Caiphas Nziramasanga expressed concern over the practicality of the schools crash programme.
“From my point of view, I do not think it is attainable for a teacher to complete a seven-month syllabus in two months,” he said adding that Government should adopt continuous assessment.
Dr Nziramasanga once sparked debate when he advocated for the scrapping of Grade 7 examinations.
“It is assumed in education that there is no room for failure when using the continuous assessment regime,” he said.
“They say you are wasting a child’s time if a learner is left to continuously repeat and supplement.
“One advantage of the continuous assessment is that it quickly shows learners’ weaknesses and strengths. And in times like these it becomes very handy.”
