BULAWAYO – As schools reopen across the country, teachers and learners in Bulawayo have commended the government’s vacation school programme, saying the initiative has brought significant academic benefits, particularly for examination classes.

Implemented during the school holidays, the vacation school programme was designed to offer additional learning time for students preparing for major national examinations. For many in Bulawayo, the effort has paid off — boosting learner confidence and improving preparedness.

As a student who participated in the programme, I can confidently say that the additional time made a real difference. We were allowed to revisit complex topics, engage more with our teachers, and revise thoroughly — all without the regular term-time distractions.

“We got an opportunity to learn during the holiday, and we managed to grasp a lot of knowledge. We believe we are now ready to write our examinations,” I said, reflecting the sentiments of many fellow learners.

Teachers have also praised the initiative, describing it as a “game-changer” for learners who often struggle to keep up with the curriculum during the normal school term.

“The vacation schools initiative was a game-changer because learners were able to get enough time with their teachers. In terms of preparations for examinations, I think we are above 90 percent,” one teacher said in an interview. “It also helped us to address individual learning gaps, especially among slow learners.”

While the educational benefits of the programme have been widely acknowledged, the initiative has also raised concerns — particularly among parents of younger pupils — about child safety during travel to and from school.

Many parents have voiced anxiety over the dangers of busy urban roads, especially during peak morning and afternoon hours when traffic volumes are at their highest.

“Schools have opened, but we are concerned about our children’s safety when crossing these busy roads to school,” one parent told me. “So what we do is accompany them every morning and assist them to cross to school.”

Another parent added, “You cannot let these children go alone to school. We need to help them cross when they are going to school and when they return home.”

Calls for increased road safety measures — such as more pedestrian crossings, traffic wardens, and enforcement of school zone speed limits — have grown louder in response to these concerns.

The government, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to providing quality education and has emphasized the importance of equipping learners not only with academic knowledge but also with practical life skills.

Education officials have stated that the vacation learning programme aligns with the national vision of producing well-rounded, skilled individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to society.

As someone who directly benefited from this initiative, I can attest to its impact. It not only helped us academically but also demonstrated the government’s willingness to invest in learners’ futures — though it’s clear that more needs to be done to ensure every child’s safety on the way to school.