TANZANIA: All Schools to Reopen on June 29, 2020
Sarah Pelaji
Tanzania is to reopen all schools across the country on Monday, June 29, 2020 after being closed for almost three months since March when the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus a global pandemic.
The measures taken to control the spread of the virus included restriction of all social activities.
Tanzania President, John Magufuli made the announcement when he was dissolving the Parliament in the Capital City of the country, Dodoma, on June 15 this year ahead of the General Elections which are due in October this year.
The decision makes Tanzania the first East African country to open all schools.
President Magufuli says that there is no need to keep schools closed because the infection has drastically declined.
“The trend of the Coronavirus is declining. I would like to announce to the nation that officially on 29th June, all schools should be opened. All other social activities should also be open. However, Tanzanians should continue to take precautions and observe the instructions from health authorities to protect themselves from the virus,” he said.
Earlier this month on June 1; all universities, colleges and secondary school leaving students resumed their studies.
The president’s speech marked the end of the 11th Parliamentary sitting, which is set to be dissolved after completing its term.
This has led some Catholic dioceses in the country to prepare for the re-opening of the schools by supporting them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), sanitizers, infrared thermometers and masks.
Recently, the Bishop of Geita Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev Flavian Kassala has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), sanitizers, infrared thermometers and masks to all Catholic schools within his Diocese.
The equipment which is worth approximately 10,000 US Dollars is meant to protect teachers and students against new infection of Coronavirus.
“I want to encourage teachers to focus on encouraging the pupils to maintain hygiene that will help prevent them from Coronavirus. Teach them not to touch their nose, eyes and since it is natural for humans to hold those parts without even knowing it, whether it is scratching or removing some irritation, then it is best to wash hands at all times to avoid infection,” he insisted.
He has insisted that all schools in the Diocese take precautions all the time while help students to overcome fear.
Meanwhile, Tanzania Episcopal conference (TEC) has stated that the Catholic Church has not removed the ban on its pastoral and worship activities until the bishops collectively issue a new statement.
Meanwhile, the Director of Communication Directorate at Tanzania Episcopal Conference TEC Rev. Chesco Msaga CPPs said in a statement denying a statement issued by some media outlets in the country that “the Catholic Church has resumed all pastoral and worship schedule.”
“I wish to inform the public that the Catholic Church has not released any document recently, which deregulates various instructions that were issued by bishops in March this year to combat the Covid-19 caused by Corona virus. The Catholic Church according to its procedures, provides its guidelines and statements in writing and are signed by the President of the Conference,” said Fr Msaga.
The Catholic Church urges its faithful to continue taking precautions in schools, universities, jobs, homes and in all places daily.
