Parents Express Coronavirus, Teacher Absence Fears
Parents of school-going children said they have no option but to allow their kids to return to school and continue with their education as schools reopen this Monday.
Parents are also worried that teachers may not return to schools amid reports that they are incapacitated.
A concerned parent, Sibongile Ncube, told the Chronicle that she had put her trust in God that pupils will be safe from COVID-19. Said Ncube:
This virus is real but we have no option because our children have to continue with their education. We have to let our children go to school because education is their future.
We surrender the rest to God to protect our children while hoping that on their part they strictly adhere to safety guidelines.
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We also hope that Government has ensured that all necessary measures have been put in place to allow for the safe reopening of schools.
Another parent, Lawrence Mlopo, told the Chronicle that parents are not sure teachers will return for work or diligently conduct lessons even if they showed up. He said:
My only concern is the issue of teachers reporting for work because we have heard rumours that they have declared incapacitation.
Schools will reopen but our fear is that teachers might either not report for work or they report for work but do not teach.
In terms of preparedness, I think pupils were reading for the exams at home and the two months will therefore be enough to prepare for the exams.
Schools reopen this Monday under a new normal which requires both teachers and learners to strictly adhere to COVID-19 prevention regulations as directed by the Government.
However, only the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) sitting classes which are Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six are opening today following Cabinet approval for a three-phased reopening of schools.
Grade Six, Form Three and Form Five classes are expected to open on October 26 with the rest of the pupils reopening on November 9.
