Update leads:
- Concerns on the reopening of schools
- Mat-South road maintenance program
- Calls for the decentralization of power
The country has recorded 6837 confirmed cases, 5345 recoveries leaving 1286 active cases and 206 deaths as at 04 September 2020. Mat-South has contributed a total of 732 cases to the overall positive cases.
The number of Covid-19 positive deaths continues to increase. This week the country recorded a decrease in the number of people testing positive to the virus. This could be owing to the reduced number of tests being conducted.
Concerns on the reopening of schools
Plans to reopen schools for examination classes on the 28th of September with exams starting on the 1st of December have sparked serious debates in the public domain.
The government backed this move by highlighting that it had engaged necessary stakeholders such as the Private Schools Association of Zimbabwe, Association of Trust Schools, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education and the Independent colleges of Zimbabwe regarding the reopening of schools.
The government also ensured the country that all necessary arrangements are being done to guarantee the safety of students and teachers.
However, parents are still concerned about the safety of their children and the time in which students write their examinations. Many are of the view that, before classes commence, teachers and students must be tested for COVID 19 and that the government must make sure that there is enough personal protective gear for students and the staff. These concerns were also raised by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association.
Young people of Matabeleland South feel these examinations are rushed and could result in a low pass rate that will be similar to that of 2008/2009 examinations, where students failed dismally due to ill preparedness. They postulated that students from marginalised groups missed out so much from the radio programs owing to poor connectivity in their regions and thus the time allocated to prepare for exams is not enough.
In addition to the concerns over the reopening of schools, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe argues that before reopening schools, the government is supposed to address the backlog of 50 000 teachers which may affect many students who are already behind time to finish the syllabus and be fully ready for their examinations.
While the government must be commended for valuing education in the country, the reopening of schools comes with different challenges which the government must be aware of especially looking at the COVID-19 epidemic.
Mat-South road maintenance program
Residents from Matabeleland South Province demand transparency and accountability on the usage of the $95 million availed by the government to rehabilitate Mat South road network. This comes at a time residents realize that the roads have not been attended to even months after the government availed these funds. Roads like the Maphisa-Bulawayo road remain critical and pose a danger to motorists.
Road maintenance is critical in improving service provision in Mat South. With developed road networks, the distribution of resources can be made faster. In addition, good roads attract investors, hence improving the economic status of the province. It is imperative that local authorities listen to the public who are demanding transparency in the usage of the money released by the government.
Calls for the decentralization of power
The tragic events that unfolded this week in Mat South have further exposed centralised system of governance in Zimbabwe. For a long time, critics have raised concerns on the fact that most critical departments which must be close to the public are centralised in Harare only, therefore, affecting service provision in other cities.
That problem badly affected Mat South this week as two young people who drowned in Ingwizi River are yet to be recovered while forensic results are yet to be known about an elderly couple that was burnt to ashes in a suspected robbery in Empandeni, Plumtree.
On the case of the young people who drowned, sub aqua police from Harare are yet to arrive to search for their bodies while on the case of the elderly couple, the family is still waiting for the forensic team from Harare also.
Critical departments must be available for every province to deal with such urgent matters. Decentralisation of power is necessary to avoid the public travelling hundreds of kilometers to Harare so they can be attended to or having people to wait for Harare specialists on issues that need urgent attention.
On another note, in a bid to promote an active youth in socio-political spaces, CYDT held youth training programs in Bulilima. The organisation observed that public spaces are gradually closing up as youth censure themselves on what to say lest they are found wanting. As much as youth are participating in social, economic and political domains, there is a bit of restraint as they fear for the unknown.
Remember to follow these tips proposed by the WHO to prevent getting infected with COVID-19;
- clean your hands more often using alcohol based hand rub or soap and water
- Maintain social distancing
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
- Contact emergency COVID-19 numbers near you, if experiencing any symptoms related to the pandemic
Social Distancing Tips
- Shop alone, do not shop in groups
- Stay/Stand two metres away from other customers (especially in mealie meal queues)
TOGETHER WE CAN DEFEAT COVID-19!
Dial 2019 if suspecting any COVID-19 Symptoms!
STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!
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