National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) has appealed to private schools to adhere to the stipulated calendar for opening schools as life is more important than business.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM, NUPPEZ Spokesperson, Nelson Mwale said the opening day for all schools was moved to 18th January, 2021 in order to ensure that schools set up preventive measures against the second wave of COVID-19.
‘‘There must be uniformity that is why government through Permanent Secretary- technical (Dr. Jobbicks Kalumba) moved the opening day to 18th January to allow both public and private schools prepare for the COVID-19 surge,’’ Mr. Mwale said.
Mr. Mwale explained that schools that have rushed to open are putting learners and teachers at high risk of contracting COVID-19 as many are ill prepared.
‘‘In as much as private schools are in business, the lives of both learners and workers must come first,’’ he said.
He said schools have been given more time to prepare against the resurgence of COVID-19 so that they are not breeding grounds for the virus.