Boarding Schools New Covid-19 Hotspots … As Chinhoyi High Is Sealed Off

Chinhoyi High School in Mashonaland West has become the third school to be sealed off in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic after 18 students tested positive, Nhau has learnt.

This follows the total lockdown of Matopo High School in Matabeleland South and John Tallach Secondary in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North.

Officials from the Ministries of Health and Child Care, and Primary and Secondary Education totally locked down Chinhoyi High School in order to minimise further infections.

It appears boarding schools have become the latest Covid-19 hotspots.

During Tuesday’s 42nd post Cabinet briefing, minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Mangaliso Ndlovu stated that Government was organising logistics for implementing practical measures to minimise the recurrence of the John Tallach School experience in other boarding schools.

Ndlovu stated that the Education ministry was “reviewing the maximum carrying capacity of all boarding hostels, conducting detailed inspection of boarding facilities; and targeted training of hostel matrons, boarding masters as well as kitchen staff”.

There are fears that if the Education Ministry fails to control the spread of the pandemic, students writing their final Zimsec exams will be heavily prejudiced. Nhau/Indaba