There was a hive of activity last week when parents jostled to do last rounds of their preparations as schools opened for the first term.
One would be tempted to comment on the stresses the parents were going through considering the high cost of living, the sky-rocketing inflation, the unbearable taxes, the painful toll gate fees and the general toxic microeconomic and macroeconomic environments.
This year would fit in the history books as many learners have not yet managed to return to school up to today and there is little hope that school fees may be found soon. It is a disaster for many in the country as poverty continues to strike citizens.
Potholes have mushroomed everywhere and the most annoying thing is some of them are left unattended to despite them being few metres away from the toll plazas where fees have been increased by 100%.
Motorists are bearing the brunt of the penurious roads which calls for urgent rehabilitation of roads especially in Harare. It is really pathetic.
It was not the traditional scene at education powerhouses like Goromonzi High, Zimuto High, Chibi High, Moleli High and Msengezi High schools as few learners had returned to take their boarding places by the opening day.
This has never been heard of before as these schools would have been full on the eve of opening. One wonders whether January 9 was the right date to open schools considering that we were coming from difficult festive seasons.
A lot of parents were eagerly waiting for the government to announce a postponement in schools opening. Was it not probably better to open schools after January 19 when many civil servants would have received their salaries?
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It is indeed very difficult for teachers to commence lessons with a half empty class so the next two weeks will be a mere waste of time for many schools.
The most ironic thing is that despite the harsh economic environment, many schools have increased their tuition fees.
Factors pinpointed include Professor Mthuli Ncube’s fiscal policy which has been condemned by many it seems to squeeze the little remaining juice from the lemon.
Cholera continues to rear its ugly face and we pray that the diarrheal disease does not extend its wings to schools as that may be a calamitous development with potential to decimate many learners.
The natural sluggish response by some of the school authorities when it comes to health matters of learners should not be tolerated if we want to remain on top of the cholera outbreak.
The disease has potential to kill within hours if urgent action is not taken in complicated cases where dehydration may be too advanced coupled with excruciating muscle cramps.
Zambia deferred opening of schools to month end of January to give itself ample time to contain the outbreak of cholera.
This measure may not be applicable in Zimbabwe at the moment as delaying opening of schools will negatively affect our school-going children yet the country is not taking serious measures to contain cholera.
The medieval disease has its roots in poor water supplies, erratic sanitation and general poverty so delaying schools opening without taking action against unemployment, our old water infrastructure, garbage, burst pipes, is not only absurd but an ignominy.
Schools should pay serious attention to cholera symptoms and learners should be educated about the symptoms and signs of cholera.
Serious health education, robust testing, surveillance and momentous case management should be undertaken if we are to reduce both morbidity and mortality.
It is wise for schools to stock oral rehydration sachets for first line management of cholera in case of a school spread.
Last week’s schools opening will go down in the history books as one of the worst in the school calendar. The economic status of the country is negatively affecting education of our children.
Dr Johannes Marisa is a private medical practitioner who can be accessed on [email protected]
