COVID-19 Crisis: Spare a thought for school children.

COVID-19 Crisis: Spare a thought for school children.

By Letwin Mubonesi

The reopening of schools after the extended lockdown has brought a sense of relief for most parents and the benefits of in-person schooling are clear as children learn better at their desks.

The vulnerable are less likely to be left behind among others.

Since the reopening of schools by the government, the Covid-19 crisis in schools is escalating pushing up the daily statistics which had been on a decline despite claims by the government that the situation was under control.

After the return to standard-in class lessons, a number of schools were hit by the outbreak of Covid-19 making some learning institutions quarantine centres.

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa in a post-cabinet press briefing this week, said the government would not close schools as the figures were too insignificant.

Statistics showed that, Chegato High School, in Mberengwa, had recorded 175 cases, Tongwe High, Beitbridge, 130 and Masase 101 among others.

However, teachers unions have expressed concern that ignoring the current crisis was irrationality as it threatens learning.

President of the Progressive teachers union (PTUZ) Takavafira Zhou said there was urgent need for a broad-based intervention plan as COVID-19 threatens learning in many schools that are fast becoming quarantine centres as the statistics from schools are worrisome.

Zhou said, “Urgent intervention by the government is now needed in providing testing kits in all boarding schools so that all pupils are tested and the infected got quarantined. This will also stop recurrent infection.”

He added that authorities should provide food, tents, toiletries, sanitary wear, blankets as some quarantined students were day scholars.

“Health officials must be seconded to such institutions to guide, monitor and supervise the quarantine centres. There is also a need to provide COVID-19 abatement equipment to schools as well as drilling of boreholes at learning institutions,” he said.

In a statement, Zhou said that more than 50 other schools across the country, had recorded between 1 and 40 cases, but the testing process was being hindered by a critical shortage of testing kits.

The statistics of Covid-19 since the reopening of schools are escalating. The health ministry recorded 101 news cases on September 8,  then spiked to 340 new cases on Tuesday. The cases are rising at an alarming rate.