Zambia to re-open exam classes on Monday

Zambia is going to open exam classes on Monday 1st June 2020 on condition that schools enforce all public health guidelines, regulations and certification.

This follows President Edgar Lungu’s directive that Examination classes in both Primary and secondary Schools should reopen in order not to rob the children’ s right to education.

He made this directive in his fourth address to the nation on the coronavirus pandemic, saying as much as all classes of learners are important for children, exam classes should re-open while ways are being sought to open other classes.

He also directed the Ministry of Health and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to ensure that preventive measures are put in place to safeguard the students and teachers.

He said face masks, hand washing soaps and sanitizers are prioritized to all schools and health centers for distribution and use starting with those in examination classes.

The re-opening of schools have been received with mixed reactions, with some sections saying a number of schools especially in rural areas are not ready for re-opening.

They say this is because a number of rural schools lack the necessary modalities and tools like PPEs needed before re-opening.

Apparently Lungu further directed the Ministers of General and Higher Education to consult various other stakeholders on the possibility of reopening non examination classes, including colleges and universities.

He added that the government must carefully and strategically manage the reopening of schools in light of the new normal, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.