Zanu PF defies school directive

News Day

By Amanda Horsfield

27 June 2013

ZANU PF on Tuesday defied government policy by conducting its primary elections at schools disrupting learning.

NewsDay observed primary elections being conducted at Epworth High, Chinyika and Zimre schools among other centres countrywide. Education minister David Coltart said there was a standing government directive that no political party activities should take place at schools during the course of the school term.

“The policy remains unchanged so no party should be holding their elections in schools,” Coltart said.

He added that Zanu PF’s actions were disruptive to the education of children because the elections were taking place during a school day when children should be attending school.

“It disrupts the education of children and so clearly it is not in the best interest of children,” he said. “I have received several reports and complaints today about schools being used countrywide to conduct Zanu PF primary elections,” Coltart said.

“I have stated, as policy, on numerous occasions in the last four years that schools should not be used under any circumstances for partisan political activity.”
Coltart also said that the current school term could be cut short if elections were held on July 31.

“We are waiting to hear what the Constitutional Court rules. While politics is often referred to as a dirty game, it can be dirtier when it affects children’s basic right to education,” he said.

If the court rules in favour of an extension of the poll date to August, Coltart said, the school terms would not be affected.