By Kefiloe Kajane and Neo Mathibe
Shortly after Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro announced a return to the more stringent orange coded Covid-19 restrictions which include the shutdown of schools, the ministry of education and training has come out instructing that external examinations students be allowed to write examinations.
Grade 10 and 12 learners are due to write final examinations between February and March, but the ministry of education’s cryptic statement does not say if they are to continue attending classes, having only reopened on Monday along with grade 11s.
“The management of schools and teachers are expected to make sure that students write their examinations and vacate school premises immediately thereafter.
“Only students dwelling in school residences will be permitted to remain on school premises during examination time.”
The orange coded restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday night came into effect today. They are prompted by the recent sudden surge in Covid-19 cumulative number of cases shoot to 3,914. With 1,496 recoveries and 60 deaths, the number of active cases currently stands at 2,358; these have more than doubled from 919 active cases just before Christmas.
As a measure to slow the spread of the highly infectious virus, Majoro also declared an 8:00pm to 5:00am curfew, and added that police and military personnel will be deployed to enforce compliance with Covid-19 regulations such as wearing of masks.
