By PETER SICHALI
GOVERNMENT should consider giving teachers a Covid-19 risking allowance once schools open on February 1, 2021, says NAQEZ Central Province secretary Justine Kabungo.
Dr Kabungo said NAQEZ has noted the escalating number of teachers dying every day from the Covid-19 pandemic countrywide even before schools open.
He said the number of teachers who have died from Covid-19 within this week is alarming and worrying.
“While we welcome the directive by President Edgar Lungu to have schools open on February 1, 2021 we are also worried with the escalating number of teachers dying from Covid-19,” Dr Kabungo said.
Dr Kabungo noted that the government through the office of the Secretary to Cabinet directed that most ministries and department officials should operate from home but teachers will have to work with huge numbers of children and fellow teachers which in itself is a danger and risk which deserves an allowance as they are now front line workers too.
“NAQEZ believes that as long as all grades will open on February 1, 2021 the schools will not be able to adhere to the one metre social distance due to shortage of desks and classroom spaces which are key in the fight and prevention of the spread of Covid-19 pandemic,” Dr Kabungo said.
He observed that the second wave of coronavirus is more dangerous and deadly.
Dr Kabungo has proposed that the Ministry of General Education and the Ministry of Health should consider training at least two teachers per school on Covid-19 issues who will be focal persons to help detect the suspected cases of coronavirus early in schools and ensure those are tested quickly.
