All educational institutions will remain closed for an additional three weeks after the original official opening date of January 8, 2024, to prevent further spread of cholera, Zambia's Education Minister Douglas Syakalima announced.
"In order to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease, the Government has put in place measures affecting different wings of society including the Ministry of Education," the statement said, adding that the measure will affect all public, private, aided and community learning institutions, Early Childhood Education centers, primary and secondary schools.
To make up for lost time, the first semester break will be one week instead of four, Syakalima noted.
"The minister has therefore advised parents and guardians to ensure that they prepare their children for term two even before term one closes, in view of the short holiday time," the statement added.
He also urged parents and guardians to allow their children to use the available alternative forms of education before the scheduled opening of schools on January 29.
According to the World Health Organization, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of cholera in Africa since 2011.
In late December, officials said the number of people sickened by the virus had exceeded 3,000 and had spread to new regions. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema expressed regret over the outbreak at the time, adding that he was in favor of making Zambia a center for cholera vaccine production.