SCHOOLS REOPENING EXTENDED

By SILUMESI MALUMOTHE decision by Government to extend the school calendar will help the parents to have time organise for money to pay for schools fees especially as the economy is biting, Basic Teacher’s Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has said.BETUZ secretary-general Henry Sinkala said the move would give parents some relief because they were going …

SCHOOLS REOPENING EXTENDED
By SILUMESI MALUMOTHE decision by Government to extend the school calendar will help the parents to have time organise for money to pay for schools fees especially as the economy is biting, Basic Teacher’s Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has said.BETUZ secretary-general Henry Sinkala said the move would give parents some relief because they were going through hard times during this period when the economy was not doing well.General Education Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba said Government has extended the opening date for school calendar from January 4, 2021 to January 18, 2021.Mr Sinkala said parents were facing numerous challenges during this period, therefore, it was pleasing that Government can think of giving them enough time to look for money. He said in an interview yesterday, most parents would welcome this decision with open hands.“Everyone really knows that the economy is biting and it is has become so difficult for many families to earn a living. So this will help them to have some time to look for money so that their children can go back to school,” Mr Sinkala said.And Mr Sinkala said the period would make teachers ample time to prepare for the new school calendar.He said that some of the teachers would be invigilating until the end of this month , therefore, they needed time to ensure that they prepare well for the learners.“You know invigilating examinations is quiet tiresome, it would have been fair for them just after invigilating then go straight to start teaching.So as BETUZ we really think that what the Government has done is a very good idea,” he said.