Government has revealed that schools will resume classes mid next month, following hard on the heels of universities, whose doors are set to be reopened from June 1
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Mathema told The Sunday Mail yesterday that “schools will be opened three to four weeks from now”
To prepare for the resumption of studies, Government is set to hire 6 000 teachers as part of a comprehensive plan for the safe and smooth opening of schools in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This will bring the number of teachers to 140 000. The country currently has about 4,5 million learners.
“The 2020 exam class will resume classes first, followed by 2021 exam classes two or three weeks later, with the rest of the groups following in that manner,” said Minister Mathema
Phase Three will consist of Grades Three, Four, Five and Form Ones and Twos.
Phase Four consists of Grades Two and One while Phase Five sees the resumption of ECD classes, which are set to open last.
Before resumption of the new school term, teachers will be screened and tested to ensure learners’ safety. They will also receive training on Covid-19.
As part of the new measures, schools will get thermometers for screening, while learners will be allocated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks, hand sanitisers and additional furniture, including desks and chairs, needed to enforce social distancing.
Classrooms will be divided into two to ensure social distancing, with Government setting up temporary classrooms.
The measures are part of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s Covid-19 Education Response Plan. Mathema said that he had met with teacher unions and presented the plan to them.
“We are going to have a phased approach of opening schools like President Mnangagwa announced,” he said.
“Schools will be opened three to four weeks from now but we want to make sure that our schools are safe to reopen, so we have put in a lot measures to ensure that schools are safe.”
Although the preparations are quite onerous, the Government says it will ensure there will not be any cutting of corners.
“First, we want to make sure that the teachers undergo testing and screening, and Government is going to take care of that. We will be effecting social distancing at schools.
“For instance, a classroom will be divided into two, with some classes being conducted in temporary buildings,” he said.
“This also means we will be recruiting more teachers. So far, we have been given the greenlight to take 6 000 teachers. Classes will resume two to three weeks apart.
E-learning centre
Government will also be opening a centralised e-learning centre which will embrace every pupil in the country.
The e-learning facility will be done through WhatsApp, radio and television platforms. Government is currently in talks with various broadcasters to cater for e-learning.
“We have started renovating studios at our centre for curriculum studies in Harare and our other studios in Bulawayo,” he added.
“We will also have a centralised e-learning centre at the Ministry, which will use WhatsApp as its main channel.”
The Ministry has decentralised the implementation of the Education Covid-19 Response Plan.
Some primary and secondary schools are producing face masks, hand sanitisers and outsourcing furniture suppliers.
Mr Patrick Zumbo, the ministry’s spokesperson, said Government has come up with a plan which is being implemented in schools in all provinces in preparation of schools opening.
“We are implementing the Response Plan and a number of schools have started producing the face masks,” he said.
Selected schools in Mashonaland Central Province have also started producing masks and hand sanitisers.
It is also the same in other provinces.
However, some teacher unions are against Government’s proposed plans.
They argue that there is not enough time for the Ministry to put in place all the things that need to be implemented before schools open.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Dr Takavafira Zhou confirmed Government had presented its plans to them.
“However, we feel it is too early. We feel opening schools this term would be unrealistic. We feel it is the responsibility of Government to provide masks for every learner, teacher and ancillary staff. Of which it cannot be done within the next few weeks.”
Schools and universities were closed earlier than scheduled in the wake of the growing threat of Covid-19. Universities are set to open on June 1 starting with final-year students
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Felony DUI Lawyer: When a DUI Becomes a Felony
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Felony DUI Lawyer: When a DUI Becomes a Felony
Not every DUI is charged the same way. Many first offenses are misdemeanors, but some DUI cases can become felonies.
A felony DUI is much more serious. It may carry prison exposure, long license suspension, higher fines, probation, ignition interlock, and a permanent felony record.
A felony DUI lawyer can help review the evidence, challenge the charge, and protect your rights.
When Can DUI Become a Felony?
DUI may become a felony depending on state law and facts such as:
Prior DUI convictions
Crash causing serious injury
Crash causing death
Child passenger in the vehicle
Driving on a suspended license
High BAC with aggravating factors
Refusal with prior history
Repeat offenses within a lookback period
State laws vary widely.
Repeat DUI Felony
Some states treat a third, fourth, or later DUI as a felony depending on the timeframe.
The prosecutor may use prior convictions to increase penalties.
A lawyer may review:
Whether prior convictions count
Whether records are accurate
Whether the lookback period applies
Whether prior pleas were valid
Whether the current charge can be challenged
DUI With Injury
If someone is injured in a DUI crash, the charge may become more serious.
Possible issues include:
Who caused the crash
Whether impairment caused the injury
Severity of injury
Accident reconstruction
Medical records
Witness statements
Vehicle data
BAC timing
A DUI with injury case often requires detailed investigation.
DUI Manslaughter or Vehicular Homicide
If a DUI crash causes death, the case may involve extremely serious charges.
Possible consequences may include prison, long license revocation, restitution, and a permanent criminal record.
Anyone facing a fatal DUI allegation should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately.
Felony DUI Evidence
Evidence may include:
Police reports
Crash reports
Body camera video
Dash camera video
Breath test records
Blood test records
Accident reconstruction
Medical records
Witness statements
Toxicology reports
Vehicle black box data
911 calls
A felony DUI defense may require experts.
What Makes Felony DUI Defense Different?
Felony DUI cases are more complex because they may involve:
Grand jury or preliminary hearing
Enhanced sentencing
Expert witnesses
Accident reconstruction
Victim impact issues
Civil lawsuit exposure
Restitution claims
Longer court process
Trial preparation
Immigration consequences for noncitizens
The stakes are much higher than a standard misdemeanor DUI.
Possible Defense Issues
A felony DUI lawyer may investigate:
Was the stop legal?
Was the arrest lawful?
Was the chemical test reliable?
Was the driver actually impaired?
Did impairment cause the crash?
Are prior convictions valid?
Were injuries legally caused by the accused?
Was the blood draw handled correctly?
Was there another cause of the accident?
Final Thoughts
A felony DUI charge can affect your freedom, license, employment, and future.
These cases require immediate legal attention. If you are facing felony DUI, repeat DUI, DUI with injury, or DUI involving death, speak with an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Best Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me: How To Choose The Right Attorney After An Accident
When you are injured in an accident, the first few days can feel confusing. You may be dealing with pain, medical bills, insurance calls, missed work, and stress about what comes next. This is why many people search for a personal injury lawyer near me after a serious accident.
A personal injury lawyer helps injured victims understand their rights and pursue compensation when another person or company may be responsible for the harm. These cases can involve car accidents, slip and fall injuries, workplace accidents, dog bites, truck crashes, medical negligence, and wrongful death claims.
The best personal injury attorney is not always the one with the biggest advertisement. You should look for experience, communication, local court knowledge, strong case results, and a clear fee agreement. Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid if they recover money for you.
Before hiring an attorney, ask how many similar cases they have handled, whether they negotiate directly with insurance companies, and whether they are willing to take a case to trial if needed.
A good personal injury lawyer can help collect medical records, accident reports, witness statements, photos, and expert opinions. They can also calculate damages such as medical expenses, lost income, future care, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help protect your claim before deadlines expire.
