GOVERNMENT says it will continue to monitor the situation to make an informed decision on the November school examinations.
Responding to questions raised in parliament this Wednesday on whether students at primary and secondary schools will sit for their final examinations in November this year, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. Honourable Cain Mathema said the government will continue to monitor the situation amid a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases
“The issue of writing exams is so far not known; it depends on COVID-19 cases. As you are aware cases of the COVID-19 Pandemic are spiking,” said the Minister.
Parliamentarians also queried the steps being taken by the government to bring sanity in the health sector, with the acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Professor Amon Murwira responding.
“It is important to remove the intoxication in the Ministry of Health. We have since dialogued and engaged health care personnel which will bring normalcy, peace and love which we think will address the spiking of COVID-19 cases,” he said.
Professor Murwira also underscored the need to increase testing.
“To date, we have tested more than 90 000 people. We also understand that loopholes are there but we are increasing testing and we are trying to do our best.”
The government has indefinitely deferred re-opening of schools that had been scheduled for July 28 on the backdrop of a spike in positive COVID-19 cases that has seen the country surpass the 1 000 mark this week.
This was announced by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa this Tuesday during a post-cabinet media briefing.
The deferment of schools re-opening is part of measures adopted by the Cabinet to slow down the spread of the virus.
The information Minister also announced that private schools that have already opened without permission will be penalized.
President Mnangagwa is expected to address the nation soon detailing some of the specific measures to contain the spread.
