NewsDay 

17 July 2012

Education minister David Coltart has said government is reviewing the information and communication technology (ICT) curriculum to align it with international standards.

“We need to effectively change our schools curriculum so that we keep what is good and transform what is not, so that we keep abreast with international advancements,” Coltart told NewsDay yesterday.

“Particularly looking at ICT in the country, schools curricula is lacking in this aspect. This also goes for academic and vocational education.

“We need to integrate ICT into the country’s new curriculum as it will enable a better learning environment,” he said, adding the last review was done in 1986.

Coltart said South Africa had overhauled its ICT curriculum after the much-criticised Outcomes-Based Education system, which had been adopted in 1998.

“Zimbabwe should take lessons from the South African education sector, which managed to change its curriculum for the better,” he said.

“However, the reform of the curriculum needs to be done carefully so that we do not end up transforming good aspects of the curriculum.”

The following was originally published in the Chronicle on June 28th, 2012: The Government has identified three schools that will be run under the Academies of Excellence pilot project, which is expected to start next year in January.

The Chronicle reports that the three schools, Goromonzi High (Mashonaland East), Plumtree High (Matabeleland South) and Mutare Girls High in Manicaland Province, are part of the 20 schools that were identified when the programme was mooted in 2010.

In an interview on Thursday, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said the enrolment of pupils under the programme would start in January. He said the Ministry had started refurbishing the infrastructure in the three identified schools to ensure the programme becomes a success.

“Progress has initially been slow but we have finally managed to make some inroads and we will be starting in January. We have identified three pilot schools, Goromonzi High, Plumtree High and Mutare Girls High,” said Minister Coltart. “ At this stage we are working on the required resources, doing some refurbishment and setting up the scholarship for the pupils.”

Early this year, the Government secured 2,4 million euros from the German government towards the establishment of Academies of Excellence. The money translates to about US$3 million.

The programme idea was initiated in 2010 to ensure rapid and sustainable recovery and development of the education system, with 20 schools being identified for the project. Under the programme, each province has two schools chosen for the programme whose first phase was to run from January 2011 until 2017. However, the programme was deffered indefinitely as the Government cited inadequate preparedness and lack of funding. Minister Coltart is on record saying the 2,4 million euros was not enough to finance the full implementation of the project which required about $40 million as each school would require about $2 million. The 2 million per school would cater for scholarships for approximately 600 students, teacher incentives, upgrading and expansion of physical infrastructure, information technology programmes and other administrative costs.

Eveline Girls High and Milton Boys High schools were chosen as Academies of Excellence in Bulawayo. Plumtree High and Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo High were identified in Matabeleland South. In Matabeleland North, Binga Secondary and Fatima High were chosen as co-educational facilities for boys and girls. The same concept of co-education is expected to apply in the Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central Districts and Mashonaland East provinces.

The programme seeks to curtail loss of education opportunities, especially amoung disadvantaged students, through concrete, realistic and demonstrable returns on sufficiently focused investment in the education sector.

About 40 percent of the intake at the academies will be reserved for talented (academically) disadvantaged children.

Sunday News

15 July 2012

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart has urged Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs to play a role in controlling their errant fans during soccer matches.

Coltart’s clarion call comes amid revelations that Government would introduce a “No tolerance against derogatory chants” policy that seeks to close in on clubs whose fans perpetrate hateful and discriminatory language aimed at its rivals.

In an interview with Sunday Sport last Thursday Coltart said it was hoped the policy would go a long way in curbing violent conduct among other ills in Zimbabwean soccer. The measures might see clubs such as the PSL powerhouses Highlanders and Dynamos and CAPS United bear the heavy brunt the most as their supporters have composed derogatory songs that denigrate their opponents. Coltart said the move was necessitated by a need to turn football into a family sport rather than a violent one.

“We will soon be launching a “No tolerance against derogatory chants” policy which is aimed at ensuring that stadiums are cleaned of all the offensive and discriminatory language currently polluting match venues. It is standard international procedure that clubs should be liable for how their fans behave  during matches and thus, if these offensive chants persist, serious action will be taken against the clubs,” said Coltart, who watched the high profile game between CAPS United and Highlanders on Sunday last week. Coltart said it was unethical for the fans to chant insulting slogans as in most cases that resulted in violence among themselves. “My visit to Barbourfields on Sunday last week was pretty disheartening as the manner in which fans conducted themselves was contrary to our efforts of making football a family sport, as the fans were using football as an avenue of expressing their grievances to the police officers present through all kinds insults you can think of,” he said.

Coltart also advised that for Barbourfields to be in a position to host international matches, fans need to adopt a different attitude altogether as the current one was rather repulsive to their bid. “How can we push for the hosting of international matches throughout the country when fans are behaving in such a horrible manner? We do not want to embarrass ourselves in front of the international community so there is need to clubs and fans to clean up the mess,” he said.

The call by the minister comes after he recently directed the Sports and Recreation Commission to ensure that national team games were spread across the country.

“I believe that the National Sports Stadium, Rufaro and Barbourfields are the only grounds which meet Fifa specifications and so, in future, matches should be held alternately and evenly at all three of these grounds,” Coltart was quoted as saying.

Veteran soccer administrator Ndumiso Gumede also echoed the minister’s sentiments that clubs should do more to conscientise fans on the importance of using proper language to cheer their teams.

“Sadly, that is in football, that when people go to matches, foul language is to be expected, as soccer is believed to be an emotional and passionate sport that has a lot of effect on people but I also think that clubs are also not taking up the initiative to enlighten their fans enough against the use of chants, which are often along tribal lines and containing traces of psychological sexual abuses to those of the feminine sex. Imagine if I had to take my daughter and wife to watch a game at one of the local stadiums and fans starting singing songs which are entirely vulgar- do you honestly think I will be comfortable when my daughter is psychologically molested like that?” said Gumede.

Gumede also felt that the Government should borrow a leaf from countries such as Scotland where stiff penalties have been used to curb the use of bad language during matches. “The Government should simply act upon enacting punitive measures on the clubs as they are failing to address the matter at hand. Let us take a leaf at countries such as Scotland where they have totally made it a crime punishable with up to five years for any abusive statements uttered during games,” he added. In December 2011 the Scottish parliament passed the Offensive Behaviour at Football Matches and Threatening Communications Bill, which criminalises “offensive” songs and chants by football fans and making “serious threats,” including expressions of religious hatred, online and elsewhere. The law carries penalties of fines as well as prison sentences of up to five years.

• Great afternoon at Barbourfields with the Bosso faithful. Well done Bosso although you should have scored more, 1-0 was enough against Caps. #
• Hope the Zim press will follow the progress of Zim Sean Crocker at the World Junior Golf Championship starting 10 July http://t.co/r6DJQOSD #
• Well done to the Sables for beating Tunisia in a Rugby World Cup qualifier – now have to beat Uganda in 4 days time. Makorokoto lads. #
• Sean Crocker lying 16th after first day of World Junior Golf Championships with a 2 over 74. Keep your head down laddie Zimbabwe is for you! #
• Good day – in Guruve to launch CAMFED with DFID, farewell meeting with US Amb Charles Ray and constructive discussion w Minister Kasukuwere #
• Minister Kasukuwere and I had good discussion this evening re indig policy and ed. Rights ito sec 20(3) of Constitution will be respected. #
• Min Kasukuwere and and I agree: mission, religious, church, community, trust schools run not for profit will not be subject to indiginsation #
• UK invests £12 million in girls’ education in Zimbabwe via Camfed http://t.co/7yL3CE6m via @Camfed – Nice to be In Guruve today doing this #
• So proud of Kirsty – http://t.co/7guy5vPv #zimbabwe via @allafrica #
• Minister Kasukuwere statement confirming this evening "Trust schools,Religious/Christian schools and Community" not the target of his Notice #
• Well done Zim Sean Crocker after 2nd round tied 14th in World Junior Champs in a field of 200. Also he is 2nd top non US player. Great stuff #
• Coltart and Kasukuwere clarify school indigenisation http://t.co/QztEjE3b via @sharethis #
• The London Olympics: hold your breath and start praying via @Telegraph http://t.co/u8KOEavB Olympics here we come! #
• Zimbabwean Sean Crocker had another good round – 75 – hardly any pars, almost all birdies and bogeys, but should make cut and in 18th pos #
• Zimbabwe Ministers Agree Not to Indigenize Non-Profit Making Schools http://t.co/fYwI8R3f #
• Sean Crocker ends up in 13th place (4th amongst international golfers) in World Junior Championships after the 3rd round. Great performance! #
• Save the SADC Tribunal – excellent video for an excellent cause. http://t.co/1mJ5zVpg #
• Britain gives US$19 million for the education of the girl child in Zimbabwe http://t.co/S51GEQDH – Thank you Britain and Makorokoto #
• Zimsec marks exams electronically for the first time. First in Southern Africa as well. http://t.co/lAOvN7WD . Our aim is to be the best. #
• I am delighted by Sean Crocker's performance in #WorldJunior #Golf champs. Tied 16th, 2nd top international player. Flew #Zim flag high!! #
• Brain Vitori on fire for #Zim #cricket A against Sri Lanka A – 4 for 30 off 7 overs. Good to know we have such depth. Zim cricket on the up! #
• Vitori gets his 5 for – now 5 for 33 off 8. Sri Lanka A 102 for 6 off 28 overs. Go #Zimbabwecricket #
• I should also mention that Tawanda Mupariwa has 1 for 16 off 6 overs against Sir Lanka A. Wonderful to see this depth in #Zimbabwe #cricket #
• #Zimbabwe #Cricket A team have Sri Lanka 140 for 8 off 40 overs. Great bowling and fielding. Now the time to bat well. #
• #Zimbabwe #Cricket A side bowl Sir Lanka A out for 160 in 45th over. Everyone came to the party but Vitori's 5 was outstanding. #
• Well done to Tino Mawoyo reaching his 50 not out. #Zim batsmen now coming to the party. Zim 105 for 2 after 27 overs chasing 160 in 50 overs #
• Well done #Zim #Cricket A team for a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka A – Zim canters to a 5 wicket victory getting 164/5 in 40th over. #
• Mugabe praises political rivals http://t.co/tB89OuSM via @newsdayzimbabwe #
• Congratulations to the #Sables #Zimbabwe #Rugby team for winning the CAR Africa Cup Group 1A final – beat Uganda 22-18. Great day for #Zim #
• Great day for #Zimbabwe sport with the Zim A side beating Sri Lanka A and the Sables beating Uganda. Well done to all our fine young men. #
• Lessons to be learnt from our southern neighbour: "Textbook shambles has been a long time in the making" http://t.co/4Ud0Hfca #

In a rare display of political tolerance, President Robert Mugabe yesterday put aside political differences and heaped praises on his rivals in the MDC parties.

In the past, Mugabe has used most of his public appearances to lambast his Zanu PFs political opponents, accusing them of being agents of imperialists determined to bring about regime change in Zimbabwe.

But yesterday, speaking at the commissioning of the Landa John Nkomo High School, Mugabe seemed to be on a charm offensive. The school is to cater mainly for children of the largely marginalized San community.

Mugabe sent Tsholotsho villagers into stitches when he said he always had Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe (MDC-T) on his mind.

I noticed that even Vice- President Nkomo omitted her in the introductions. I cannot forget her because she is always on my mind, chuckled the President. She dresses meticulously. How can anyone forget a person of such charm, a very charming lady indeed?

Turning to Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, Mugabe said: You are among us from the white race. When we started the inclusive government, I wondered if he would actually fit in.

I said to myself it is the challenge on the part of a person like him to be amongst many blacks and had to be looked down upon by others who would ask what he is doing working with a terrible dictator like Robert Mugabe, he said.

Mugabe said when the inclusive government was established they were not sure whether, the other partners in the GPA would work in common purpose.

He said there was realisation that despite coming from different political parties, they were all Zimbabweans working for the interests of the country.

Mugabe described Information Communication Technology minister Nelson Chamisa as having so much wisdom for his age.

We call him the youngest among us and we wonder why at this age before his hair turns grey, he has the wisdom of the elders. He said he read the books that we read and we encourage him to go forward, he said.

Mugabe commended Nkomo for building the school using his own resources.

ZIMBABWE is “just setting into an information communication technology revolution” and has set a 2015 target for all schools to produce school leavers with the requisite 21st century skills to play a part in the worldwide digital economy, President Robert Mugabe said on Friday.

Launching the government’s e-learning programme at a newly-built school in Matabeleland North, Mugabe pledged his government’s commitment to put computer technology at the heart of the school curriculum.

“Comrades and friends, the speed of global technological and economic transformation demands that we move abreast of other developing countries if we are to derive the full benefits of the ICT revolution and turn the digital divide into digital opportunities for the nation,” Mugabe said.

The schools e-learning programme was launched at Chogugudza Secondary School in Mashonaland East last March, and Friday saw it shift to the southern region with the launch at the Landa John Nkomo High School in Manqe, Tsholotsho.

Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa said it was their vision that every school in the country – both secondary and primary – must use computer technology by 2015.

“Our agenda is benchmarked on 2015, we have a digital programme that by 2015 Zimbabwe should be fully on the digital platform, we are building a knowledge economy and our citizens must be digital natives,” Chamisa said.

“All schools ultimately are going to benefit, we have in excess of 8,000 schools countrywide and I am working with David Coltart [Education Minister] who is the implementing minister and the President to see this programme through.”

Under the programme, the ICT ministry will give out computers to schools, train the teachers and provide maintenance through the government-owned technology company, ZARNet.

The ministry also works hand-in-hand with the Rural Electrification Agency to ensure power – both solar and electric – is extended to all schools countrywide.

“We have a standard agenda on ICTs,” Chamisa went on, “as you may know ICTs are becoming part and parcel of teaching tools. Gone are the days when teachers used chalk board and duster, now you need PowerPoint, Keynote and projectors… that’s the direction that this country is taking. We are moving from mere pedagogy to webagogy.”

Education, Arts, Sport and Culture Minister, Senator David Coltart has ordered the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) to launch investigations into allegations of doping within the local sport of rugby after two Young Sables players tested positive to performance enhancing drugs.

The Zimbabwe Under 19 rugby team has been under the spotlight after some players are alleged to have tested positive for banned substances after undergoing random testing at the Junior World Rugby Trophy that was staged by the United States.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union President, John Falkenburg recently admitted that two players had tested positive but it has emerged that as many as 13 players may have tested positive.

The International Rugby Board is believed to be currently investigating the alleged use of banned substances by the Young Sables whose only victory at the Junior World Rugby Trophy came against Russia in a 7th and 8th place play-off.

Government recently reversed its decision to force all privately-run schools and crèches to cede 51% of their shareholding to locals under its controversial indigenisation policy.

Both Indigenisation and Education ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and David Coltart respectively confirmed the U-turn last night.

Coltart said he met Kasukuwere and they agreed to spare non-profit-making mission schools, religious institutions and community-owned schools from being compulsorily indigenised.

Kasukuwere had announced the move in a Government Gazette published last week, sparking protests from fellow government officials, parents and administrators of private schools.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said government had not sanctioned such a decision.

“Minister Kasukuwere and I agreed that mission, religious, church and community trust schools run not for profit will not be subject to indigenisation,” Coltart said in a statement last night.

“I am pleased to report that I had a very constructive discussion with Kasukuwere this evening regarding the notice recently issued.

“We are agreed that the rights contained in section 20(3) of the Constitution, namely the right of religious and other groups to set up and run schools, will be fully respected by Government.

“Accordingly all mission, church, religious, community and trust schools run not for profit will not be subject to any indeginisation policy.

“I hope that the agreement in this regard will settle all those parents, teachers, administrators and other interested in the education sector who feared that this critically important component of our education sector was going to be disrupted.

“I encourage all those who have been concerned this past week to stop worrying and to get on with the fine work they have been doing in delivering a quality education to tens of thousands of Zimbabwean children.”

Contacted for comment, Kasukuwere downplayed the matter, saying the announcement had been misinterpreted.

“It was a question of misreading that caused the panic and we are on the same page with Coltart,” he said.

“If a school is run for profit then it’s a company that is subjected to the laws of the country but council run schools and church related institutions you can’t indigenise because they are for the community and already benefiting the community.

“Such schools were not on the notice and were never put there and I was also shocked where this was coming from.”

The regulations gave foreign owned institutions across all sectors of the economy including banks a year to hand over their majority shareholding to locals as part of President Robert Mugabe’s empowerment crusade.

The Sunday News

By Walter Sabele

14 July 2012

EDUCATION, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart has urged Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs to play a role in controlling their errant fans during soccer matches.

Coltart’s clarion call comes amid revelations that Government would introduce a “No tolerance against derogatory chants” policy that seeks to close in on clubs whose fans perpetrate hateful and discriminatory language aimed at its rivals.

In an interview with Sunday Sport last Thursday Coltart said it was hoped the policy would go a long way in curbing violent conduct among other ills in Zimbabwean soccer.

The new measures might see clubs such as the PSL powerhouses Highlanders, Dynamos and CAPS United bear the heavy brunt the most as their supporters have composed derogatory songs that denigrate their opponents.

Coltart said the move was necessitated by a need to turn football into a family sport rather than a violent one.

“We will soon be launching a “No tolerance against derogatory chants” policy which is aimed at ensuring that stadiums are cleaned of all the offensive and discriminatory language currently polluting match venues. It is standard international procedure that clubs should be liable for how their fans behave during matches thus, if these offensive chants persist, serious action will be taken against the clubs,” said Coltart, who watched the high profile game between CAPS united and Highlanders on Sunday last week.

Coltart said it was unethical for the fans to chant insulting slogans as in most cases that resulted in violence among themselves.

“My visit to Barbourfields on Sunday last week was pretty disheartening as the manner in which fans conducted themselves was contrary to our efforts of making football a family sport, as the fans were using football as an avenue of expressing their grievances to the police officers present through all kinds of insults you can think of,” he said.

Coltart also advised that for Barbourfields to be in a position to host international matches, fans needed to adopt a different attitude altogether as the current one was rather repulsive to their bid.

“How can we push for the hosting of international matches throughout the country when fans are behaving in such a horrible manner? We do not want to embarrass ourselves in front of the international community so there is need for clubs and fans to clean up the mess,” he said.

The call by the minister comes after he recently directed the Sports and Recreation Commission to ensure that national team games were spread across the country.

“I believe that the National Sports Stadium, Rufaro and Barbourfields are the only grounds which meet Fifa specifications and so, in future, matches should be held alternately and evenly at all three of these grounds,” Coltart was quoted as saying.

Veteran soccer administrator Ndumiso Gumede also echoed the minister’s sentiments that clubs should do more to conscientise fans on the importance of using proper language to cheer their teams.

“Sadly, that is in football, that when people go to matches, foul language is to be expected, as soccer is believed to be an emotional and passionate sport that has a lot of effect on people but I also think clubs are also not taking up the initiative to enlighten their fans enough against the use of offensive chants, which are often along tribal lines and containing traces of psychological sexual abuses to those of the feminine sex.

“Imagine If I had to take my daughter and my wife to watch a game at one of the local stadiums and fans start singing songs which are entirely vulgar — do you honestly think I will be comfortable when my daughter is psychologically molested like that?’’ said Gumede.

Gumede also felt the Government should borrow a leaf from countries such as Scotland where stiff penalties have been used to curb the use of abusive language during matches.

“The Government should simply act upon enacting punitive measures on the clubs as they are failing to address the matter at hand. Let us take a leaf at countries such as Scotland where they have totally made it a crime punishable with up to five years for any abusive statements uttered during games,” he added. In December 2011 the Scottish parliament passed the Offensive Behaviour at Football  Matches and Threatening Communications Bill, which criminalises “offensive” songs and chants by football fans and making “serious threats”, including expressions of religious hatred, online and elsewhere. The law carries penalties of fines as well as prison sentences of up to five years.

On the 11th July 2012 Senator David Coltart launched the new CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education) project in Guruve. The project has received US$19 million from the British Government.