Teachers have refused to take part in invigilating examination students who are set to write final examinations next month for the reason that the students did not attain proper education this year due to the Covid -19 induced lockdown that saw schools closing in March.
Schools were therefore opened for examination classes on September 28, six months later.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) posted on their twitter handle that teachers will not take part in the writing of examinations this year as the students are not prepared to write this year.
“We will not invigilate unprepared learners who are being forced to write public examinations. Our conscience wont allow us. For the love of our learners and our education we will stay away from the sham examinations.” ARTUZ said.
Teachers have been striking since schools opened in September demanding a salary increase of $US520.
ARTUZ further stressed that schools do not have adequate safety equipment against the Covid- 19 hence hence teachers and learners must stay home to avoid infections.
“Our schools have failed to meet the bare minimum levels of safety in the face of COVID19.Gvt prepared SOPs cant be adhered to because of underfunding. The ZWL 600 million for safe schools opening remains unaccounted for. Trs and learners must stay home to avoid mass infections.” They said.
Examinations are scheduled to start on December 1 with Grade Seven candidates being the first to sit for the exams. This will enable their answer scripts to be marked and the results to be published in December so as to allow parents enough time to look for Form One places. Advanced Level candidates are also likely to write and complete their examinations in December. Ordinary Level classes will have their examinations spill into January.
600 000 pupils are expected to sit for Grade Seven examinations. Around 400 000 students have registered for the Ordinary Level exams with nearly 200 000 candidates set to sit for the Advanced Level exams.