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Government was yesterday urged by parliament to urgently improve the welfare of teachers before schools reopen, in order to motivate them and therefore improve the pass rates.
In an exhaustive virtual meeting yesterday, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education chairperson Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said improving the welfare of teachers should be treated as an urgent matter.
“There is an urgent need for the government to comprehensively focus on improving the welfare of teachers and adequately equipping them before schools opening,” she said.
Teacher unions and other civic groups have put a blame on government of neglecting the education sector, leading to poor results in the 2020 grade seven exams released earlier this month even though the blame was shifted to sanctions and covid 19.
As part of the recommendations, teachers should prioritize the COVID-19 vaccination as they are regarded as leading workers in the education sector, the parliamentary committee said.
To ensure social distance, the Ministry of Education should work with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to use the tents used during the ballot as temporary classrooms, said Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
“The government should prioritize the availability of water and sanitation in all schools in order to ensure compliance with WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines before schools are opened,” she said.
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Misihairabwi-Mushonga has also suggested that the ministry should allow children who wants to repeat to do so at no cost.
“Parents with children who want to repeat Grade 7 due to poor performance must be allowed to do so and must bear the cost.”
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