Child rights and education lobby groups have applauded the government’s directive to postpone the reopening of schools amid the increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
The government had initially set aside this week as they return to school but COVID-19 cases have been rising sharply in the last three weeks, with most of them being local cases.
In a joint press statement, the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe (ECZ), Every Child In School (ECIS) and the Zimbabwe National Coalition for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC) said the deferment is a welcome development, given the rise in COVID-19 confirmed local transmissions and the fact that latest death is a child in Matabeleland South who was admitted to hospital on Saturday with pneumonia.
“The children’s right civil society members applaud the Cabinet for enshrining the health of the child in their decision making.
“We commend the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for its initiatives of rolling out alternative ways of learning like the radio and online lessons and its continuous engagement with partners and stakeholders through the Zimbabwe Education in Emergencies cluster on the way forward in providing continuous education during the pandemic,” reads the statement.
The organisations said they convinced that reopening of schools in Zimbabwe at the moment is unsafe but urged the government to consult stakeholders before making decisions.
“ECOZI, ECIS, ZNCWC remain committed to supporting the Ministry in providing quality and equitable education for all Zimbabweans.
“Through our various efforts through our Partners, programs, provincial, chapters, thematic committees and National membership coordination meetings continues to seek ideas and contributions in the provision of continuous quality education during COVID-19 and the reopening of schools,” the organisations said.
Zimbabwe has recorded 1611 cases since March and 25 people have died from the virus.
