ARTUZ, represented by its President Obert Masaraure, has taken a proactive step by reaching out to local authorities, urging them to provide free operating space for a new educational initiative. This scheme aims to offer complimentary holiday lessons throughout April, with the goal of supporting students during their break from school.
Despite not yet receiving any responses to their requests, Obert Masaraure remains hopeful, emphasizing the noble intentions behind the proposal. He believes that local councils, being copied on the letters, will recognize the importance of the initiative.
Masaraure stated, “There is no response received yet, but councils have an obligation to provide education as a service. The move by the government to ban holiday lessons in schools leaves councils as the only authority with the potential to serve the poor.”
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ARTUZ’s letters have been distributed to all provincial capitals and local authorities, with rural district councils also set to receive them. One such letter addressed to local authorities requests the free usage of communal facilities, such as municipal community halls, for conducting holiday lessons.
This initiative comes in the wake of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s decision not to authorize Vacation School during the April holiday for Grade 7, ‘O’ and ‘A’ level candidates, as well as other non-exam classes. In a statement released on Monday, March 25, the Ministry emphasized the importance of students having a well-deserved break for rest and independent learning.
The statement, signed by Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education Chris Mhike, was directed to various educational stakeholders, including Chief Directors, Provincial Education Directors, District Schools Inspectors, Heads of all Primary and Secondary Schools, and various educational associations.