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Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]

ALL is set for schools reopening with day scholars today joining their counterparts in boarding schools to mark the beginning of the third term.

The term is critical for examination classes as they will be writing their final examinations starting next month.

All schools were scheduled to open on Monday before the Government deferred the opening day for day schools to today.

Boarding schools were allowed to run with the normal calendar as previously scheduled.

Primary and Secondary Education Ministry communications and advocacy deputy director Mr Patrick Zumbo said the sector was ready to receive all pupils ahead at the beginning of the new term.

“Schools are ready to open. In fact, even before the postponement, they were ready to open. The boarders are already back to their respective schools,” he said.

Teachers said they were also ready to guide pupils in their studies.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said schools were opening at a time when educators are motivated in their duties as Government remains committed to addressing their conditions of service.

“The importance of the third term cannot be over-emphasised as this is a turning point in terms of terminal examinations especially for Ordinary Level and Advanced Level pupils. It is critical for them to go back to school and be supported by teachers,” he said.

Dr Ndlovu said Government’s commitment to improving employees’ salaries enables teachers to commit to their duties without being diverted by salary-related issues.

He said the opening of schools coincided with the commemoration of World Literacy Day on Friday which puts teachers at the forefront contributing to the country’s high literacy levels.

“Zimbabwe joins the world on September 8, to celebrate World Literacy Day. We want to join commemorations knowing pretty well that Zimbabwe scores highly on the literacy levels which itself is an indicator of the quality of human capital Zimbabwe is generating. The education sector is contributing towards that,” said Dr Ndlovu.

He said schools are also opening at a time when President Mnangagwa is expected to set up a new Government which will result in the appointment of new ministers.

Dr Ndlovu said the education sector is looking forward to the appointment of the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education as well as the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister as they have a direct impact on the education sector.

“We look forward to an education minister who will set very strong foundational principles for the education sector to continue to excel in Zimbabwe. What principles are we looking for? First, we want to see a minister who will pursue the agenda of establishing a Teaching Professions Council, a council which should guarantee the quality of education for learners and benefit the society,” he said.

Dr Ndlovu said the incoming education minister should also address the issue of teacher shortages in schools.

He said the teacher-pupil ratio is affecting the quality of the country’s education.

“We want a minister who will be interested in ensuring that the teacher-pupil ratios are reduced to levels where teachers can give maximum support to learners. We are in a situation where teachers will fail because they are overloaded with some classes, which is not a good environment for teaching and learning,” said Dr Ndlovu.

He said conditions of service civil servants remain a critical issue.