Tendai Bhebe, Sunday News Reporter
THE death toll for pupils and teachers who died during Cyclone Idai last month has risen to 92 while 102 pupils are still missing.
The cyclone affected most parts of Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. In an interview yesterday, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cde Edgar Moyo said among the dead and missing children were ECD pupils.
“Currently the number confirmed dead and buried is now at 92 and the number of missing has increased to 102. Our colleagues who are on the ground in Chimanimani are telling me that the sad thing is that of those missing we have 30 ECD learners who are among the 102. The number of teachers has also risen to four including one headmaster,” said Cde Moyo.
He said different organs of the Government which is led by the National Disaster Management Committee are working closely with the Mozambican Government to find the missing people.
The Government availed $4 million for the reconstruction of schools in the tropical Cyclone Idai affected areas.
Cde Moyo said the Government was planning to open schools in the affected areas on Tuesday.
“What we have done to make up for lost time is to prepare for earlier opening and we are looking at 23 April this is only for the affected areas. As I speak, senior officials and people who are responsible for the construction as well as repairs to damaged schools are on the ground.
“President Mnangagwa said there is no Easter holiday for all those who are working at Chimanimani to restore normalcy. We are working round the clock as the Government to ensure that schooling returns to normalcy so that school pupils are ready for the June examinations,” he said.
In March the Government ordered schools that were affected by Cyclone Idai to close and re-open two weeks before the second school term starts on 7 May, saying the environment was not conducive for learning to continue.
He added: “We do not want children to stay at home and continue to feel bad about what happened to them. There is psycho-social support that schools will offer when they are together.”
@TendaiBhebe