Government Warns Private Schools Against Exeat Weekend
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) has warned private schools against sending pupils on exeat weekend saying it has not sanctioned such a break.
MOPSE warned that sending pupils, especially those in boarding schools, on exeat holiday, could lead to new Covid-19 cases being recorded when they return to schools.
MOPSE’s communication and advocacy director Mr Taungana Ndoro said schools should stick to the revised schools’ calendar which states that schools will close on December 17 and reopen on January 11 next year. Said Ndoro:
It has come to the attention of the ministry that there are some non-government or private schools that intend to send pupils on exeat holiday. This is against the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which states that schools should have 80 days on their calendar. As a result, no child, especially those in boarding schools should leave their schools unless for a specific important reason such as a medical emergency. There is no schools’ exeat or break that has been approved by the ministry and we expect all schools to remain open.
Mr Ndoro said the illegal exeat holiday by private schools could trigger new Covid-19 infections in learning institutions at a time when the sector is in the process of containing the already existing cases.
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Several schools including Neta and Chegato High Schools in Mberengwa recorded high numbers of coronavirus.
Nevertheless, the government said the surge in cases recorded in schools will not force a premature closure of schools as the cases are not severe.
More: The Chronicle
