Schools not ready to open, govt told

By Thandeka Matebesi

The National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) has written to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education tabling various concerns and recommendations ahead of schools opening at the end of the month.

In a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education NASH President Arthur Maposa said the financial situation in schools had become desperate with schools in huge debts. 

“Since forced closure of schools on 24th March 2020 the financial situation in schools has become desperate and with many schools sinking into huge debts due to inability to pay for services like water, electricity, salaries of non-teaching staff and communication services.  This is the background situation to the re-opening of schools on 28th September 2020,” he said.

He added that NASH was appealing to the Government for permission to budget and set fees in foreign currency or RTGS equivalent at auction rate.

“NASH  recommends that schools be authorised to budget in US$.  Provisions of SI 185 of 2020 offers scope for local and foreign currency.  On the ground suppliers are charging goods and services in foreign currency.  This is now the norm in urban and rural areas.NASH further recommends that schools be allowed to charge approved pre October 2018 fees in US dollars or bond equivalent using auction rate if the request  for US$ is not accepted.Government can also set benchmarks for fees or a range to avoid a requirement that every school should apply.  The 2018 rates provide an important guide,” said Maposa.

Maphosa revealed that schools are incapacitated to handle ZIMSEC practical examinations due to lack of finances to purchase the requisite equipment.

“NASH recommends that ZIMSEC provides exam materials and chemicals as well as schools no longer have capacity to buy the chemicals and are reeling under debts.Schools with huge enrolments need assistance and support to handle large numbers of exam classes who are too many for social distancing on existing classrooms.  We are also approaching the rainy season with weather experts forecasting above normal rainfall season, flash floods etc,” said Maposa.

He also said there was need for Government to improve negotiations with teachers over salaries so as to motivate them.

“Government should intensify efforts to engage teachers’  unions  and come up with acceptable salaries and conditions of service so that they are motivated to work beyond normal working hours under COVID-19 conditions.  COVID-19 allowance should be extended to all personnel taking part in the phased re-opening of schools and possibly increasing it would certainly improve the moral. COVID has turned some teachers into gold panning and vending and may not return to work for low salaries. It is risky to assembly learners during COVID-19 without assurance teachers will return for duty hence the need to address salaries and conditions of service,” he said

He added: “Provision of PPEs is a big challenge since schools are bankrupt. NASH recommends that government provides funding to schools to procure raw materials for the production of PPEs.  It is further recommended that government provides raw materials like ethanol, hydrogen peroxide so that schools manufacture sanitizers and clothing material for face masks.  While some schools have covered ground on face masks and to some extent on sanitizers the majority have done practically nothing due to funding challenges”.