Sunday Mail
1 March 2009
From Bulawayo Bureau
SOME headmasters are allegedly taking advantage of the absence of teachers who skipped the country to cash in on their vouchers, it has emerged.
Teachers were awarded the US$100 vouchers while the Government tries to source more funds early this month.
According to impeccable sources, some headmasters were keeping the vouchers for their own use after some teachers who had gone to seek greener pastures abroad failed to come and collect their vouchers.
A teacher from a high school in Bulawayo who requested anonymity said most of them had gone to demand their vouchers from the headmaster and were told stories time and again.
“What is surprising is that all our papers are in order but our vouchers are not there. What have they done to the vouchers, because we know the vouchers got into the hands of the headmaster?
“In the meantime the headmasters are busy living lavish lives while we starve instead of giving us our money,” he said.
The voucher system will cease with effect from March 2009, as payment will be made directly into foreign currency accounts, which the teachers opened.
In an interview with Sunday News yesterday, the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Senator David Coltart, warned headmasters engaging in such behaviour that the full wrath of the law would descend on them.
“I was not aware that such an activity was taking place. However if that is the case, then these individuals should be reported to the nearest regional education office. It is a criminal offence to do that.
“If the reports are correct, I assure you the full wrath of the law will descend upon such headmasters,” said Senator Coltart.