Government orders all tertiary institutions to close

Harare (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government has directed all tertiary institutions to close and continue conducting lessons through e-learning as part of measures to curb the further spread of Covid-19.

In a statement, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development permanent secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira said increasing Covid-19 cases had necessitated the move.

“It is now observed that Covid-19 cases are escalating daily and this may put the lives of students and members of staff in our institutions at high risk,” he said.

“In view of the foregoing, the Ministry is hereby directing that all tertiary institutions with immediate effect, suspend face-to-face lectures on campus and continue with e-learning. In this regard, all students should vacate halls of residence by Friday, 24 July 2020.”

He said the government would ensure the smooth running of lessons online.

“The Ministry is working flat out to ensure all institutions are adequately resourced with the necessary infrastructure to facilitate access to quality e-learning,” he said.

A lecturer at the Chinhoyi University of Science and Technology last week tested Covid-19 positive, prompting the government on Monday to order the closure of the institution.

The Zimbabwe government gave universities the green light to re-open on July 13 this year following three months of continuous closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic with only final year students allowed on campus.

Last week the government indefinitely postponed the re-opening of schools, which had been set for July 28, following the recent spike in Covdi-19 cases.

Following the directive, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) also announced that final public examinations for Ordinary and Advanced Levels, which are normally taken in October and November each year, might be deferred to next year to ensure learners completed the school syllabuses before writing.

New Ziana