Mozambique: Final preparations for return to school – O País

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Mozambique: Final preparations for return to school – O País

2:03 CAT | 30 Aug 2021

Photo: O País

Educational institutions in the municipality of Matola are completing preparations to resume classes on Monday, after an interruption of 45 days. Meanwhile, catering and trade services are excited about the relief of Covid-19 prevention measures, albeit with some trepidation.

The order to resume face-to-face classes from Monday was issued after the announcement by the President of the Republic of a framework of measures to contain the third wave of the pandemic. Saturday was set aside for final preparations: cleaning, organising the classrooms, checking the toilets and other means of sanitation.

“We are preparing for the start. We’ve already done the finishing touches, we’ve reviewed the conditions of the classrooms and the sanitation,” said Zuleca Macombo, director of the Escola Primária da Liberdade in Matola.

The same is happening at the Machava Secondary School in the same municipality, where the preparations include the readjustment of curriculum content. Pedagogical director Artemiza Chiziane said that the school continued to teach using virtual platforms during the 45 days, “but, because we are aware that not all students are able to follow the online classes, we will resume teaching where we stopped in-person; that is the guidance we have received”.

The announcement of the relief of prevention measures was received with some reservations by the catering and trade services, which started operating from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. For some, the extension of the hours will be a relief, while others are still sceptical.

“We are excited about this schedule, because before it was not possible to do business,” said Joana Mulima, owner of a commercial establishment.

“This measure will undoubtedly help,” Maputo restaurant manager Napoleão Tinga, agreed, adding that he had “lost 40% [of turnover] in the two hours” that had previously been removed, and with this reversion will “try to make up again” .

But not everyone shares this understanding. In Matola, just outside Maputo, for example, most restaurants believe that the length of time will not make a difference. “We continue to accumulate losses. Customers like to come to dinner after 8:00 p.m.. So we will continue to lose custom. We even had to lay off some workers,” restaurant manager Pequenino Quilambo reported.

The new measures announced by the President of the Republic on Friday come into operation this Saturday and will take effect for the next 30 days.

By Isabel Manhiça

Source: O País