The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare has announced that all early childhood development (ECD) centres, including creches, daycares, kindergartens, and pre-schools will resume face-to-face learning on 1 February. “The ministry will continue to keep this guidance under review in compliance with the measures to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19,” the statement reads. The announcement follows the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture's recent announcement that the resumption of face-to-face learning for the 2021 school calendar has been pushed to 26 January, instead of 14 January as previously announced. Minister of Education, Anna Nghipondoka explained that the extension was made due to the rising cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and their national impact. Health Minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula recently reported that they continue to record an increasing number of cases among learners and teachers as well as students, despite them being on holiday. -NAMPA