By Dr Takavafira Zhou.
That we have a crisis in schools is a fact. Figures from a few schools epitomise the crisis.
1. Chegato High School, Mberengwa, *133 cases* as of yesterday
2. Tongwe High, Beitbridge, *82 cases*
3. Gutu High, Gutu, *52 cases*
4. Masase High, Mberengwa, *40 cases*
5. There are more than 50 other schools across the country where cases between 1 and 40 have been reported and where testing is an ongoing process. But the testing process is hindered by a critical shortage of testing kits.
Testing is still going on at all affected schools, and more often than note there are no adequate testing kits. Its clear we have a covid threat in schools and communities. There is urgent need for a broad based intervention plan as covid 19 threaten learning in many schools that are fast becoming quarantine centres. Such an intervention must be based on open engagement of gvt officials, health officials, teacher unions and parents. Truth rather than a facade of lies peddled by Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials must be the guiding principle. We even wonder why up to now some serial liars are still in the Ministry of Education when ordinarily they must have been dismissed for misleading cabinet and President of the country into opening schools without adequate measures to combat covid 19 pandemic.
As of now there is an urgent need for gvt intervention in affected schools with food, toiletries, sanitary wear, tents, drilling of boreholes, psycho-social support etc. It is also prudent to second health officials to monitor and advice on the managenent of quarantine centres in schools. Assistance with learning gadgets to affected students can also go a long way as teachers can hardly have direct contact with covid positive students. A comprehensive plan to test all students, teachers and ancillary staff at the affected schools is a panacea to combating covid 19 as any half hearted measures risk escalation of covid in the schools and neighbouring communities, let alone recurrent infections. The healthy and safety of teachers and pupils, let alone their welfare must be a high priority.
Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz President)
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