The Zimbabwean

By Jane Makoni

1 February 2012

Authorities at schools such as Dimbe Primary in Marondera East Rural continue to defy government instructions that no child should be denied access to education for failure to pay fees. Three weeks after schools opened hundreds of poor children are yet to set their feet in the classroom.

“My seven orphaned grandchildren were sent back home on the opening day of school and continue to be chased away on sight, as fees have not been paid. I have no regular income and cannot afford the $10 per term. I do not remember when I last put a US dollar in my pocket. For now, the idle grandchildren pass time herding our neighbours’ cattle for a pittance,” said Mbuya Neria Murimi of Musunze village.

The headmaster at Dimbe Primary, who only identified himself as Sangare, said those who had not paid 2011 school fees were being sent home.

Children without stationery such as exercise books were also being sent back home since UNICEF no longer donate the items to schools. “As a school we are not in a position to provide children with the required stationery hence the dismissals,” said Sangare.

The Minister of Education, David Coltart, has repeatedly said it is against government policy to send home children who fail to pay fees. “Education is a right not a privilege for every child,” says Coltart.

The plight of poor children has been worsened by government’s failure to sustain the Basic Education Assistance Module due to lack of financial resources.

The future of many rural children remains bleak. Stella Mujoma (10) of Village 19 Nhowe said: “My grandmother cannot pay my fees so my dream of becoming a medical doctor look shattered.”

The Zimbabwean

1 February 2012

Every time Kirsty Coventry romps to victory in an international swimming competition, Zimbabwe cheers.

Even President Robert Mugabe, with his well-documented allergy for the white minority, has not been spared the wave of awe. Calling her the “Golden girl” after her medal haul of three Silver and one Gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, he gave her $100 000 and a diplomatic passport.

The 28-year-old became the third sportswoman from Africa to earn a gold in women’s swimming at the Summer Games, after Joan Harrison (Helsinki’ 52) and Penny Heyns (Atlanta’96).

Yet she has never won a major competition at home. Reason – there is no state of the art facility to host such tournaments here.

The Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, which hosted the 1995 All Africa Games, is now in an embarrassing state of neglect. Its dilapidated infrastructure has left it deserted by swimmers who must flock to it.

The complex is equipped with an Olympic size swimming pool, a practice and children’s pool. It boasts electronic timing equipment and a boiler house that should warm water to allow year-round swimming.

But at 12:36pm (the time on the giant clock) some day in March 2002 a “tornado” hit the venue.

Paddington Songori, SRC Events and Functions manager from 1995 to 2011, said the automatic valve holding water in the pool broke and water flooded the basement.

“From the time it was switched off in 1994 until it broke down in 2002, the valves must have been exhausted. It was not a matter of negligence, but just a common fault. It was a daily routine that we switched-off the whole plant after knocking off for work, but when we came back one day, water had flooded the basement, covering all the mortars, electrical board and the pumps. we called the fire brigade who drained it but the damage had been done.”

Songori said repairs would cost around $2 million. The facility is government property managed by the SRC. Under the contract with the Ministry of Public Works the commission is responsible for minor repairs, while the ministry attends major repairs.

SRC Director General, retired Colonel Charles Nhemachena, proposed annual budgets to renovate the venue – but they have come to naught. The pools remain unusable.

A recent visit showed walls peeling, while rain water collected in the giant “pits” had was covered in algae and floating litter. Rust-coated steel rails around the pools and deserted spectator stands, and the boiler room made it look like a haunted mansion in horror movie “Bones”. Unknown somebodies have flocked the multi-purpose hall to hold music shows, beauty pageants and church services. What ideally should be a “sports bar” has been turned into a beer-hall.

Songori said that was for fundraising, but for what, as the centre continues to deteriorate? Funds raised are never enough ever to cover the electricity bill.

Fans are not impressed. The Zimbabwe Aquatic Union, now using Harare’s Les Brown Pool for provincial and national competitions, has admitted challenges of grooming a star like Coventry without top facilities.

Secretary General Neil Bradshaw told The Zimbabwean that the African Swimming Confederation was always looking for hosts for major continental events, but dilapidated Zimbabwe could not bid.

“If Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex was revamped, it would certainly be hosting all national events and bidding for international ones,” he said.

“We have not assessed the cost of repairs and regrettably, the cost of reinstating the country’s pools and building new ones could cost tens of millions – we just do not see where that kind of money would come from.”

Bulawayo’s Khumalo Hockey stadium was renovated last year after Hockey Association of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Public Works and Minister of Education, Arts, Sports and Culture, David Coltart, united for the common cause. The Chitungwiza complex is crying out for the same favour.

Nhemachena said they were going to hand it over to the ministry of public works, hoping that it would get the 2002 fortunes of the National Sports Stadium.

“We recently had a meeting with them to discuss the modalities of us handing over the facility. The impression was that the ministry of public works now wants to do the (renovations) job,” he said.

“If the big pump can’t be repaired, any cheaper modifications that make small pools functioning and get things going would be fine.”

Should the commission divorce itself from such facilities, would the Ministry of Public Works manage, with the best interest of sport at heart?

“The Ministry of Public Works builds schools and hospitals they do not run. Why should it be different with sporting facilities?” questioned Nhemachena.

“It would be good for sports if the complex is renovated because most major competitions being held in South Africa would come here. It is among the best pools in the world and if it gets to work again, we would attract big events and sponsors.”

Bulawayo 24News

By Ndou Paul

31 January 2012

The Minister of Education David Coltart has congratulated the Zimsec board for releasing the ordinary results on time.

On his twitter account, @DavidColtart, David Coltart wrote “Zimsec O levels exam results are out today – congrats to the Board, Director and staff for improving the service to Zimbabwe schoolchildren.”

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) released the 2011 November Ordinary Level results today 30 January 2012.

This follows the release of the Advanced Level results on 19 January.

The early release of O-Level results is an improvement on the part of the Zimsec Board considering that results for the 2008 November examinations were released in July 2009.

Radio VOP

31 January 2012

The Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Senator David Coltart on Monday told a European Union delegation touring Matabeleland region that imbalances between Mashonaland and Matabeleland region started during the Gukurahundi atrocities that claimed more than 20 000 lives in Matabeleland and Midlands region.

He said then grants to build schools were only allocated to the Mashonaland region.

He also added that Zimbabwe required billions of dollars in order to solve historical imbalances that exist under education sector between Matabeleland and Mashonaland region. He disclosed that most of the pupils in Matabeleland region walk more than 30km to school on a daily basis. In addition there were few ‘A’ level schools that offer mathematics and science subjects hence it was not worthy for the government to set up science and technology universities in the region.

He added that Zimbabwe must prioritse basic education to all the pupils in the country and make sure that they meet the budget allocation for education sector for it is the backbone of a progressive nation.

“Last year we got a budget allocation of US$14,8 million and this meant that it was equivalent to US$5 per pupil but other ministries like Home Affairs, Justice and defense got more money than education, which is not fair,” said Senator Coltart.

Addressing Journalist at Bulawayo Art Gallery, after touring EU projects the UNICEF Representative, Dr, Peter Salama said that he was very much pleased with the Education Transition Fund programme in Zimbabwe as it had achieved a ratio of one to one textbook per pupil.

He said that they are now working on the second phase of ETF programme that will see the rehabilitation of schools sanitation, training of teachers and buying of school furniture.

“We are grateful about Zimbabwe’s ETF programme. World-wide this country has achieved the one to one ratio of pupil textbook allocation in 18 months and we will continue to fund the education sector in Zimbabwe and the main partners in EU have pledged to support Zimbabwe because they have proved to be a working country,” said Dr Salama.

Zimbabwe is working towards achieving the 2015 millennium development goals of universal access to education to all children.

Meanwhile EU’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia said Monday targeted sanctions imposed on President Robert Mugabe and his allies will be removed, if the country holds free and fair elections.

EU, alongside the United States, Australia, Switzerland and New Zealand imposed targeted sanctions on Mugabe and his top military, and business associates as punishment for allegedly stealing elections, perpetuating human rights violations and failure to uphold the rule of law.

However addressing a press conference in Bulawayo today (Monday) EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia said that there will be no reasons not to remove targeted sanctions imposed on Zanu (PF) leaders if free and non violent elections are held in the country.

“There will no reasons for European Union not to remove these restrictive measures if free and fair elections without any intimidation are held. Those elections should also follow guidelines set by Africa Union and SADC. Voter education should be conducted before the elections are held, the media should be free and results should be accepted by all elections contenders,” said Dell’Ariccia

Dell’Ariccia said EU will currently continue to support Zimbabwe through Aid and dismissed allegations that targeted sanctions are affecting the Zimbabwe’s economy.

“There is no way travel restrictions imposed on a certain individual not to travel to Europe can affect the country’s economy, that’s not true,” he said

Dell’Ariccia said his delegation is touring Matebeleland region the whole of this week in order to improve its linkages with and its understanding of the specific issues of region.

He said that the delegation is committed to an inclusive approach towards supporting Zimbabwe’s development. The EU envoy added that this has been particularly evident since the inception of the current government, with a clear mandate that the EU Delegation has received to support the implementation of the GPA.

NewsDay

30 January 2012

Zimbabwe cannot afford to live as an island, but needs international investors to quickstart the economy so it can pay descent salaries to its civil servants, Education minister David Coltart has said.

Addressing parents, teachers and school development committee members after touring Mosi-Oa–Tunya Secondary School in Victoria Falls on Friday, Coltart said the ongoing teachers’ strike was inevitable given the poor state of the economy.

“We need to restore the teacher’s status and respect in society,” the minister said. “However, the ability to pay teachers a viable salary dependents on us (the government) being able to resuscitate the economy.

“Resuscitation of the economy is only possible if we restore good relationships with the rest of the world. We need investment, but some of us are not being very supportive.”

Coltart said big companies like Apple, Intel and Epson were in the country for the Southern Africa ICT Education conference and expressed interest in investing in the education sector.

“If companies open, people are employed and taxes are paid to the fiscus, then there will be money to pay teachers more,” the minister said.

Coltart also reiterated the need for a mop-up exercise in the civil service structure to weed out ghost workers.

“We also have to deal with the devil called corruption. We understand some mines are functioning and making adequate profits that should benefit the society, but sadly some of the proceeds cannot be accounted for as few individuals benefit.

“So we need to deal with corruption. We need to deal with ghost workers and clean up the sector to restore it,” he said.

Coltart said over 2000 primary and secondary schools throughout the country had received textbooks to date for all subjects.

The Chronicle

30 January 2012

The Government has secured 2,4 million Euros (equivalent to $3 million) from the German government towards the establishment of the long-awaited Academies of Excellence.

The funding is however a far cry from the required $40 million. The Academies of Excellence 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.

Its launch was scheduled for January 2011 but was deferred indefinitely as Government cited inadequate preparedness and lack of funding.

In an interview last week, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, David Coltart, said although the money was not enough to finance the full implementation of the project, the ministry would start the programme this year.

“We have received funding to the tune of 2,4 million Euros from the German government which translates to about $3 million.

“These funds are not enough to run the 20 schools that we had initially planned for. In the meantime we will work with two schools countrywide as a pilot project to see how the programme works,” said Minister Coltart.

“We will start the programme this year by at the moment it is still premature to say which of the two schools countrywide as a pilot project to see how the programme works,” said Minister Coltart.

“We will start the programme this year by at the moment it is still premature to say which of the two schools will be selected for the programme. We will advise on this in due course.”

Minister Coltart said $40 million was required to fully implement the project.

“To run this project effectively, each of the 20 schools needs $2 million and that translates to $40 million for the 20 schools under the project,” he said.

Under the proposed programme each province would have two schools designated Academies of Excellence. The first phase was expected to run from January 2011 until 2017.

The $2 million for each school includes 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. In Matabeleland South, the academy for boys will be at Plumtree High which Jason Ziaphapha Moyo High will house another group, which will start with boys and girls, although “it will be converted into a girls’ academy”.

In Matabeleland North, Binga Secondary and Fatima High will be co-educational facilities with boys and girls.

The same concept of co-education will apply in the Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East provinces.

Harare will have a boys’ facility at Churchill and a girls’ at Girls High, with Manicaland having the boys’ at Mutare Boys’ High and the Girls at Mutare Girls’ High schools.

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

An estimated 40 percent of the intake at the academies will be reserved for talented but disadvantaged children.

• My thoughts are with the thousands of #Zim schoolchildren getting their exam results today – whatever they are resolve to work even harder #
• Go @KirstyCoventry – delighted that you are swimming good times. Zimbabwe is keenly following your progress! #
• The good and the bad – great ICT conference at Vic Falls – the bad Zim out twice in a day to NZ. Chin up lads; go forward now dont look back #
• At least I suppose Zim did twice better in their 2nd innings against NZ than England did against Pakistan – still sore but in perspective #
• Before Zanu gets too excited about what Sata said this week in http://t.co/5VIHqNPJ read on to see what he said about about their allies #

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

28th January 2012

The resurgence of Zimbabwe tourism continues apace with good-news stories abounding these days, such as the current Southern Africa ICT for Education Summit at Victoria Falls, proclaimed by a Zimbabwe Minister as ”a great coup.”

The Summit brings together 14 Education and ICT Ministers from Southern African countries, who are attending along with major ICT companies such as HP, Samsung, Xerox, NEC, Epson, Intel, Sharp and Core (representing Apple).

In addition there are several respected international education entities participating, such as Cambridge University Press, Macmillan, Blackboard and Oxford University Press.

At the forefront is David Coltart, Zimbabwe’s Minister for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, who commented on his Facebook page: “It is a great coup for Zimbabwe to host this conference and I hope it will provide all those involved in our education sector with a new vision for where we need to be taking Zimbabwe’s education.”

On the night of Thursday 26 January more than 200 of the delegates enjoyed a rousing night at The Boma – Place of Eating, the famous and most popular restaurant in Victoria Falls, showcasing the flavours and ethnic entertainment of Africa. The Boma is the public restaurant of the award-winning Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (VFSL) that is a nightly draw card for international visitors as a “must do” on their itineraries.

In tune with the rapid revival of Zimbabwe tourism VFSL is investing $3m in building a new luxury 20-room block that will open later this year and many other major development plans are afoot for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s “World of Wonders” destination.

The Chronicle

28 January 2012

Mosi-oa-Tunya Secondary School authorities are in a quandary on how to treat or assist pupils living with the HIV virus in case of sickness while at school amid reports that a number of pupils are allegedly taking anti-retroviral drugs.

In this light, the acting headmaster, Mr Rolland Sibanda, has called on the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture to come up with strategies on how the ministry could work along with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in assisting such cases so that pupils were not discriminated in any way.

Addressing the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, during his visit to the school in Victoria Falls yesterday, Mr Sibanda said some pupils attending school were HIV positive thereby making it a challenge to teachers whom he said were not health experts.

“Right now we do not know what to do in case the pupils on ARVs get sick at school. We have pupils that are taking ARVs. HIV and Aids have taken their toll in Victoria Falls and at our school in particular as 25 percent of our pupils lost their parents from the scourge,” he said.

Asked by Minister Coltart what he thought might be done to help the infected children, Mr Sibanda said: “May the ministry come up with strategies so that there is a relationship between the Education and Health ministries to assist the infected children.”

In response, Minister Coltart said no child should be turned away because of sickness unless of course the sickness was contagious. He said there was a need for a multi-faceted approach in dealing with the matter.

“We also need to encourage headmasters and the district education officers to establish rapport with the Ministry of Health so that nursing sisters visit the affected children and teachers in schools and assist where necessary.

“Secondly we already have the HIV and AIDS curriculum in terms of the national curriculum and so there is a place for HIV and AIDS and the infected in schools,” said Minister Coltart.

He said if the matter was nationwide then there as a need to revisit and improve the regulations.

Meanwhile, addressing parents and teachers after a brief tour of the school, Minster Coltart said he was saddened that the school was not offering lessons because of the teachers’ strike.

He said the strike had paralysed the education sector.

“It pains me as a Minister and it is very depressing to see the children who are supposed to be learning being prejudiced. After delivering the textbooks, it pains to see that there are no teachers to exploit that. Let us hope it is for a short time.”

Minister Coltart said it was high time that the teaching profession’s noble status was restored in the society.

“The profession used to be noble like 50 years ago when President Mugabe was a teacher, every parent dreamt that his or her child becomes a teacher also. The teaching profession has lost the respect if had and this is evidenced by the paltry salaries and poor working conditions the teachers are subjected to,” he said.

Zimbabwe Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture

27 January 2012

Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart capitalized on his time while hosting the African Brains ICT For Education Summit 2012 to visit Chinotimba Primary School, where he presented to the headmaster materials for Early Childhood Development and Mosi-oa-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls. Senator Coltart was accompanied by representatives from Intel, who, during his visit and presentation, donated desktop computers among boxes of educational supplies.

While speaking to teachers, parents and students at Mosi Oa Tunya secondary school, Senator Coltart took time to discuss the ongoing public service strike, notably the first serious work stoppage by government employees since the inclusive government came to power three years ago.

“I’m saddened that today while here in Victoria Falls, I find the schools are closed, albeit temporarily.  I am very sympathetic to the plight of our teachers and especially our children who are ultimately affected by the strike.

The reality of the situation is that there is no easy solution. When President Mugabe was a teacher years ago, the title had respect and everyone aspired to earn it. Unfortunately as a nation, we have today lost that respect. As I look down these empty halls, it is disheartening to think about how our ongoing work is being hampered, as is the educational process for the greatest casualty in all of this – our pupils.

We as a Ministry have made great strides — exam papers were marked with scores here at Mosi Oa Tunya indicating a grade increase of 20%. Secondary school textbooks are being delivered countrywide and every single child from forms one through four will have his or her own textbook. However, as I’ve said before, all of that means little when those who foster the talent of tomorrow are not in their classroom at work.”

Teachers, like other civil servants, are employed by the Public Service Commission, which falls under the ministry of Public Service. The Ministry of Public Service has offered public workers a $240 million package that would mean an average salary increase of $87 a month for the sector’s 230,000 employees.

The African Brains ICT For Education Summit 2012 at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls is an unprecedented forum in terms of both scope and opportunity, based around dedicated pre-scheduled meetings between the private sector, ministers and educationalists from 18 Southern African countries. The event was held under the patronage of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Education, Sports, Art and Culture.

Though Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZTA) chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu, yesterday insisted the public service strike was still on, Zimbabweans have historically demonstrated a dedication to education for their children – as he concluded his remarks this afternoon, Senator Coltart called for an efficient resolution of the strike in order to perpetuate and spotlight this commitment.