Zimbabwe Telegraph
By Mcedisi Nkomo
22 March 2009
Senator Coltart announced an impressive list of names on Thursday that will constitute the new National Education Advisory Board according to reports by SW Radio Africa.
The board will advise on matters pertaining to the improvement of primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe.
Minister Coltart said in a statement: “I have consulted widely before appointing the group of “grey-hairs” gathered here today.
I look forward to working with them to restore the rule of law in our education system and to reconstruct our primary and secondary education, which used to be the best in Africa.”
But the group faces an enormous task to try and rebuild the education sector which has been ruined as a result of the political and economic crises.
The Minister said the immediate task for the new board members would be to conduct a rapid assessment of primary and secondary education, as the foundation for a long-term plan for the Ministry.
The Education Minister was on Wednesday forced to admit that he could not guarantee that government will pay teachers their March salaries, because the country’s treasury coffers were completely empty.
The board members are: Dr Isaiah Sibanda (Chair) – Lecturer in technical teacher education at NUST, Founding Director ZIMSEC, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.
Dr Fay Chung (Treasurer) – Education consultant, formerly UNESCO Africa, UNICEF New York and Minister of Education. Mrs Trudy Stevenson (Secretary) – Former teacher/Cambridge oral examiner and MP Harare North.
Dr Goodwill Shana – Representing Church schools, Chair Heads of Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe, President EFZ. Dr Sharai Chakanyuka – Education researcher and lecturer, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, Zimbabwe Open University.
Mrs Mary Ndlovu – Education consultant, former lecturer in education at Hillside. Fr Joe Arimoso – Head of Jesuit education, former teacher St George’s College.
Mr Stanley Hadebe – Board member, ZIMSEC, Zimbabwe Open University, former Matabeleland Regional Director of Education. Sr Tariro Chimanyiwa – Special education, Head of Emerald Hill School for the Deaf.
Mr Neil Todd – CEO Association of Trust Schools, former Head Falcon, Deputy Head Plumtree. Mr Mike Ndubiwa – Educationist and former Bulawayo Town Clerk.
Mr Charles Maunze – President, National Association of Secondary Heads NASH and Head Oriel Boys. Ms Tendai Chikowore – President, Zimbabwe Teachers Association ZIMTA
Mr Takawafira Zhou – President, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe PTUZ.