By NATION REPORTER
GOVERNMENT has announced that schools will remain closed for three weeks due to surging cholera cases.
Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima, said the schools will now open on January 29, 2024.
The minister said while the government is concerned about the negative impact pandemics have had on the education sector in the past, safeguarding the lives of school communities remains a priority.
“Further, the grace period which was earlier given to grades eight and 10 learners has now been overtaken and all learners are expected to open on January 29, 2024.
Therefore, in order to catch up on the time lost, the first term holidays will only run for one week instead of four weeks, implying that schools will close for term one on April 26 instead of April 5, 2024, and open for term two as scheduled on May 6, 2024,” Mr Syakalima said.
Mr Syakalima said parents should take this opportunity to ensure that they prepare their children for term two even before term one closes, in view of the short holiday time.
He also said during the prolonged closure, all learning institutions should be thoroughly cleaned up, have clean water and sanitation facilities, adequate hand washing points, detergents and disinfectants in addition to the provisions of the preventive guidelines already in schools.
Mr Syakalima said learning institutions should maintain a high level of hygiene at both personal and institutional levels as guided by the Ministry of Health.
Mr Syakalima also said school inspections and sensitisations will be intensified at all levels to ensure compliance to the guidelines.
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