Government Orders Private Schools To Close Immediately

The Ministry of General Education has ordered all private schools which are still open despite Covid-19 regulations to close immediately until January 18 or risk repercussions. 

General Education Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba has said any school continuing to defy government guidelines will face punitive measures. Dr Kalumba has since instructed Provincial Education Officers (PEOs) to monitor schools’ compliance countrywide. 

Speaking in Chinsali on Monday, Dr Kalumba expressed his disappointment with schools for disregarding Covid-19 regulations and thereby risking students’ and teachers’ health. 

“Private schools must learn to respect government directives because there is a reason to every extension of school opening ,because general education caters for a majority of children who need to be protected from second wave of COVID -19,” Kalumba said.

A report by ZANIS found that all schools in the Chinsali area have remained closed. Bernard Siame, owner of the Witaya private school in Chinsali, said his institution had abided by Ministry of General Education guidelines and would not reopen until January 18. 

Mr Siame said that private schools ought to respect Covid-19 guidelines and work in harmony with the government. 

Last month the government announced it was postponing the opening of schools from January 4 to January 18, angering a number of private institutions, who said the delay risked pupils falling behind.