MDC-T attacks Coltart

NewsDay

By Sheryleen Masuku

14 September 2012

MDC-T Bulawayo provincial secretary for education Felix Sibanda yesterday criticised Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart that headmasters are not to blame for sending children back home for outstanding school fees and levies.

Coltart on Wednesday blamed the inclusive government and parents for the chaos at schools.

The minister’s remarks were made following a public outcry from parents and civil society about the violation of a High Court ruling and the ministry of Education’s directive to stop sending children away for non-payment of fees.

Sibanda said Coltart’s views were shocking.
“We, as MDC-T, are extremely shocked by the minister’s inconsistency in handling education,” he said. “We are alarmed and baffled by his statement. He can’t shift blame to the inclusive government that he is part of as a Cabinet minister.”

Sibanda said it was the duty of the minister to make a lot of noise about education issues since it was “his role to protect the children”.

He questioned if the minister was aware that the children were more likely to suffer this term “because this is an exam period and children are losing valuable time due to the dismissals”.

“We want to correct the minister. Headmasters are to blame for sending children away from school,” he said. “These fees are charged by school development associations and the headmasters and these people have too much power in the schools.”

Sibanda said the minister should appreciate that there are some parents who are poor and cannot afford to pay school fees.

“Basic Education Assistance Module is dysfunctional and is poorly administered. As a result, children from better families are
being supported by the programme,” he said.

Sibanda accused Coltart of defending teachers’ incentives in Parliament as this “has heightened financial challenges faced by children from poor families as teachers continue to solicit for funds from their students”.