The move by the state through the ministry of health, to announce the closure of all the schools and universities in the country, in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly Corona virus, has been received with mixed feelings by the public.
Some members of the public have wondered why the state has gone to the extent of closing all learning institutions in the country when the virus has not yet been reported locally.
One civilian who preferred to remain unanimous told Zambian Business Times – ZBT, that the school curriculum will be distorted for the learners, and that performance will be affected as some schools are coming from another closure during the chemical gassing incident recently.
“Why should you declare a closure on all school before the country reports even one case, I think the most important thing is to keep safe by taking the precaution measures steadily and not closing completely. What should be closed for now are the entry points because we can only have a case from travelers outside who are coming in”, he said.
However, National Action for Quality Education in Zambia – NAQEZ, has welcomed the decision by government saying while it appears devastating to the Zambian academic calendar, the decision was inevitable considering the agonizing social and economic consequences a country recording the virus.
In a statement to Zambian Business Times-ZBT, on March 17, 2020, NAQUEZ Executive Director Aaron Chansa said enabling Corona virus in Zambia would be catastrophic with the fact that both the healthy system and the economy are too overstretched and may not be able to cope with a disease as Covid-19.
“Clearly, closure of learning institutions will have negative and far reaching academic effects in the country. However, we are of a carefully considered position that the decision by government is aimed at protecting Children and the nation from Corona virus. Life is too precious to be exposed to a virus such as this fast spreading disaster”, said Chansa.
Chansa further said Zambia being a land-linked country; is now at high transmission risk. He said as schools and Universities close on Friday, 20th March 2020, all pupils and students should know that social distancing is the most effective method of preventing the transmission of the Covid-19.
On March 17, 2020, minister of health Dr Chitalu Chilufya updated the nation on Corona virus and announced a closure of all schools and Universities in the country to prevent the outbreak of the virus.
