By Tatenda Mujeyi
The Ministery of Higher and Tertiary Education has published its 2021 calender following last week’s call by President E. D Mnangagwa to revert lockdown measures and institute near normal operations under World Health Organisation’s operational guidelines.
Owing to the Covid induced lockdowns schools worldwide had been closed with Zimbabwe not secluded from the effects of the pandemic that has claimed over 1000 lives in Zimbabwe. people worldwide.
With the President in his State of Covid address this week and cabinet having announced that schools will be opened by 15 March, The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education anounced the official dates this Friday.
“Universities and Colleges must also prepare to open and ensure compliance with the World Health Organisation Protocols and National COVID-19 Guidelines. Virtual learning or long distance learning is encouraged where possible.” The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said.
With Cabinet having announced that the school calendar would resume on the 15th earlier this week the parent Ministry has complied with this directive.
“Cabinet agreed that the school calendar for 2021 starts on a slightly phased approach, with the examination classes opening on 15th March and the rest on 22nd March 2021. Teachers for examination classes should therefore report for duty on 10th of March, and the rest on 17th March, 2021.” Minister Mutsvangwa announced.
In the same vein “Teachers Colleges First term will commence on the 15th of March -08 June; Second Term 28 June- 10 September ; Third Term, 18 October -17 December.” The press statement issued by the parent Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Prof. dr Tagwira read.
On the other hand institutions such as vocational training centres and polytechnic’s will resume with commencement of HEXCO examinations scheduled for 15 March-31 May.
The formal learning process will resume as follows Term 1, 1 June -8 July 2021 term 2 will commence on 16 August- 8 October and term 3 will commence on18 October to 17 December.
Following the irregularities that were caused by the Corona Virus, Government has undertaken to compress the Syllabus to allow for faster reengagement by learners.
“Relevant modules are already under production. Among the catch-up strategies, all continuing classes will start with 2020 work. Syllabi have been compressed to facilitate accelerated coverage. Both Primary and Secondary school levels will follow three levels of accelerated compressed syllabus coverage.” Honourable Mutsvangwa also said.
The Corona virus has brought incalculable changes to the normal operational procedures that will likely take a long time to forget and redress with hope placed on the irreversibility of the school calender’s resumption.
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