The Chronicle

13 February 2012

The Government requires $87 million to introduce a retraining programme for all teachers over the next four years under the Education Transition Fund, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Senator David Coltart has said.

Towards the end of last year, the Government announced plans to unveil a retraining programme for all teachers in the country to enhance their skills to keep up with emerging trends in the global education sector.

Senator David Coltart said yesterday that the Government, through his ministry, was in the process of mobilising resources for the retraining of teachers, which is expected to begin in the second term.

“The retraining programme for teachers has not started yet. We are in the process of mobilising resources for the programme that will run over the next four years under the Education Transition Fund.

“We have set ourselves a budget of $87 million for the programme which at the moment is at its formative stage. We are busy lobbying donor countries to assist with funding,” he said.

Sen Coltart said the British and Finish governments, among others, had indicated their commitment towards releasing resources for the proposed programme.

However, he could not be drawn into revealing how much had been raised to kick-start the programme.

It is also envisaged that the programme would improve professionalism among teachers.

Sen Coltart said the programme was detailed and could begin in the second term and run over the next four years.

“It is a quite detailed programme which is not easy to carry. We could be starting it in the second term,” he said.

“Our main concern at the moment is that the country so far has many unqualified teachers and we intend to ensure all the teachers including those with diplomas and degrees upgrade their skills.”

Although Sen Coltart could not ascertain the number of unqualified teachers in the country, he said compared to urban areas, a large proportion of untrained teachers was in rural areas such as Binga and Gokwe.

Recently, the Government lifted a ban it had imposed last year on recruitment of temporary teachers.

As part of addressing the shortage of qualified teachers, the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture recently developed a five-year strategy that seeks to attract qualified teachers into the country through improving remuneration and working conditions.

In recent years, Zimbabwe has experienced an exodus of trained and experienced teachers to neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Botswana.

ZimEye

By Moses Muchemwa

13 February 2012

The British and Finnish governments have pledged to assist Zimbabwe raise $87 million to fund the retraining of all teachers in a bid to resuscitate the education system.

According to Education, Sport, Art and Culture Minister David Coltart(pictured), talks are underway with western governments willing to assist to revive the once prosperous education system.

With the collapse of the economy a decade ago, the education sector also suffered the consequences of maladministration by President Robert Mugabe’s regime.

The cash-strapped government announced last year that there was need for retraining of teachers to keep abreast with the global education trends but lack of funding scuttled the programme.

However, Coltart said the British and Finish governments had not announced figures of how they will assist the faltering education sector.

Last year, Coltart visited Britain on an official visit to solicit funding to finance various education programmes. “We have a detailed retraining programme for teachers, which is likely to start in the second term,” he said.

He added that the retraining programme was not only meant for unqualified teachers but also those with diplomas and degrees to upgrade their skills. Hundreds of unqualified teachers are deployed in remote schools such as Binga and Gokwe districts, among others.

Zimbabwe has experienced a massive exodus of teachers to Britain, South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia in search of greener pastures. The education sector has over 110 000 teachers.

New Zimbabwe

13 February 2012

Zimbabwe Cricket says it will launch an inquiry into the national team’s poor showing on a tour of New Zealand, which Sports Minister David Coltart has described as “disgraceful”.

Zimbabwe lost a one-off Test match by an innings and 301 runs before being whitewashed 3-0 in the One Day Internationals. Last Saturday, they suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the first of two Twenty20 matches.

ZC bosses have been forced to eat humble pie by stinging comments about the team’s performance, including by the Australian media.

In an editorial, the New Zealand Herald described Zimbabwe as “dreadful”, adding: “They are the worst side to tour this country, below even the poor Bangladesh outfits of the past five years. A lot of what we saw was no better than club cricket.”

Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Ozias Bvute defended Coltart’s right to criticise the team as “the relevant authority of sport and as a cricket fan”.

He added: “It would not be proper to try and find excuses as to what went wrong, save to apologise to the nation and assure our supporters that a full enquiry into our shortcomings will be made.”

Traditionally, Bvute said, Zimbabwe have never been good travellers, but even then they had hoped for “a more spirited display in all aspects of the game” on the New Zealand tour.

“…once the team return this week, we do have a reporting and review structure that allows us to do a post-mortem of the entire tour and we will then have a clearer picture of what led to Zimbabwe’s poor performance,” Bvute said in a statement.

He defended Zimbabwe Cricket against Coltart’s claims that sending 10 non-playing support staff on the tour was “top heavy”.

“The size of the touring party is determined by the needs of our team and the composition of our currently touring side is in fact at par with that of other cricketing nations embarking on tours of this nature,” Bvute argued.

“The ratio of technical staff to players is always kept at a balance that ensures that playing strategies can be enhanced when needed or specialist players brought in as was done in the case of Graeme Cremer and Propser Utseya.”

• Although we were thumped again today by NZ, Zimbabwe is making progress in adjusting to conditions. But the top order needs a serious revamp #
• France impounds African autocrats' 'ill-gotten gains' http://t.co/5BahD5LK via @guardian Sadly Zim's corrupt leaders keep their ill gottens #
• back to school… http://t.co/ndbmoEZL via @wordpressdotcom great blog by Martha Prescott a Brit married to a Zim now rebuilding education #
• About us http://t.co/jP4Ruszy via @wordpressdotcom Great blog about Martha and Ezra match made by my wife and now rebuilding Zim's ed sector #
• Seeing rain all around us in southern Africa and drought here makes me wonder if God isn't saying something to us fractious Zimbabweans #
• Critically important legal opinion regarding Zimbabwe AG's assertion that President is not required to get PM's consent http://t.co/yz6uFtVK #
• Congratulations to Matabeleland Tuskers for winning today the Logan Cup 2nd year in a row. Simply magnificent having Davy Houghton as coach #
• Well done to our neighbours Zambia for beating Ghana in AFCON. I bet my counterpart Dr J Phiri Min of Ed for Zambia is cockahoop – so am I ! #
• Zimbabwe is not far off the best – we beat Mali 2-1 last year. Mali narrowly lost the semis against Ivory Coast. Zim must qual for World Cup #
• Our thoughts are with the Zim boys as they prepare for the 3rd ODI against NZ in Napier. Time for self belief and determination. Give it all #
• Zimbabweans doing a great job to help NZ win. Silly run outs and then Zimbabwean Colin de Grandhomme catches Taibu and helps run out Waller #
• 197 hundred runs scored off Vitori and Chigumbura's 19 overs at 10.36 took the game away from Zimbabwe. #
• Now Zimbabwean Colin de Grandhomme takes a good catch to dismiss Taylor. Nothing like rubbing salt in wound having a Zim taking 3 Zim wkts #
• Interested that the NZ commentators studiously ignore the fact that Colin de Grandhomme is Zim! Amzing how Zim helps so many nations' teams #
• Zim born and raised de Grandhomme, a St Georges boy I think, now NZ player, ripped the heart out of Zimbabwe taking Taibu, Taylor and Waller #
• Colin de Grandhomme's (born in Harare in 1986) father Laurence actually played cricket for Zimbabwe. We have to stop the drain of talent now #
• I really question the team selection. Vusi's non inclusion and how could Shingi be left out after superb performances in the 1st 2 ODIs? #
• Need for a serious rethink in Zim cricket. 10 support staff in NZ including 2 managers meant that specialist players left in Zim. Top heavy. #
• National pride is a stake – this disgraceful performance was a combination of poor selection & wrong priorities. Feel for Taylor who tried. #
• Meanwhile back at the ranch Vusi Sibanda and Gary Ballance on 140 and 115 n/o speak with their bats. Imagine if they had been playing today #
• One of my broad political philosophies is a belief in small government and the same applies to administration of sports teams. #
• The southern part of Zimbabwe is now seriously short of rain and most crops here are a write off. Hundreds of thousands will need food aid #
• Much better today Zimbabwe in the 20/20 even if we lose at least some respectability restored. But why is Coventry not part of this team? #
• Well done Zim – much better performance. Still question why so many support staff at the expense of bringing in specialists like Coventry #
• Had we had a 30 off 15 balls from Coventry on top of Chigs and Masa the target would have been a hard one to get. Must get this right #
• Here's hoping that #Zim #039;s "Clean Warriors" prepare well for their start to 2013 AFCON qualifiers in Bujumbura on 29 Feb http://t.co/Y6xKtcX8 #

The Standard

11 February 2012

Ordinary and Advanced Level examination markers have accused Zimsec of short-changing them by paying them three quarters of their fees instead of the full amount as earlier agreed.

Examination markers who spoke to The Standard yesterday, said Zimsec was supposed to pay them all their fees before results were released, but this has not been done.  “Zimsec deposited only three quarters of our fees, but the body has not communicated to us as to why there is such a huge shortfall,” said one examination marker who requested anonymity.

The makers were supposed to be paid between 90 cents and US$1,20 per each paper they marked. Markers who were expecting between and US$600 and US$700 got only US$300.

Raymond Majongwe, the secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, said Zimsec was not respecting teachers as professionals by failing to pay them in full for marking examinations. “The real challenge is that markers were duped into believing that money would be deposited into their accounts, but up until now they haven’t got their full pay,” Majongwe said.

Sifiso Ndlovu, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association public relations officer said that Zimsec has paid only 75% of the amounts involved and blamed it for not honouring markers contracts. “Markers signed contracts and are they supposed to have been paid in full seven days after they finished marking. We will make this a matter of urgency, as we take it up with the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture,” said Ndlovu.

“A long-term recommendation of adequate funding will be suggested so as to avoid such cases and encourage participation of educators in terms of marking,” Ndlovu added.

A disgruntled marker who spoke to The Standard said the way Zimsec treated markers would compromise examination marking in the future. “They want us to mark examinations but they do not want to pay us. Is this the way to go?”

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Education Union of Zimbabwe (NEUZ) is also unhappy with Zimsec.

The body has appealed to Education minister David Coltart to intervene in a labour dispute between the exams body and and its workers.

An independent arbitrator Arthur Manase recently ordered Zimsec to pay its 290 employees US$400 000 in outstanding housing allowances dating back to 12 months ago.

NewsDay

10 February 2012

A serious rethink at Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is needed if national pride is to be salvaged following the national team’s humiliating three-match series whitewash defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

Zimbabwe lost the one-off Test last week and the Black Caps completed the one-day international (ODI) series whitewash yesterday with a 202-run victory at McLean Park in Napier, much to the disgust of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart.

Coltart described the performance as disgraceful and questioned the wisdom of taking 10 support staff on the tour while leaving behind specialist players, in particular opening batsman Vusi Sibanda. After watching Zimbabwe clobbered, despite captain Brendan Taylor’s 65, Coltart made a series if tweets:

“National pride is a stake, this disgraceful performance was a combination of poor selection and wrong priorities. Feel for Taylor who tried.

“Need for a serious rethink in Zim Cricket. 10 support staff in NZ including two managers meant that specialist players left in Zim. Top heavy.

“I really question the team selection. Vusi’s non-inclusion and how could Shingi be left out after superb performances in the 1st two ODIs?”

Sibanda was dropped for opting to play grade cricket in Australia instead of domestic cricket which was a violation of the ZC contract rules.

According to ZC regulations, players who are not a part of domestic cricket will not be considered for the national team. Sibanda declined the offer from his franchise MidWest Rhinos at the start of the domestic season on September, 2011.

He even did not take part in the Stanbic T20 competition and chose to play for Eastern Suburbs, Australia, instead.

Masakadza picked up four wickets for 46 runs in the opening 90-run loss and followed that up with one wicket for 68 and 38 runs as Zimbabwe lost the match by 141 runs before being dropped for yesterday’s huge loss.

Zimbabwe were never in the match when they batted, though Taylor (65) and Tatenda Taibu (26) combined for a 67-run third wicket partnership. Both were well caught by substitute fielder Colin de Grandhomme, leaving the visitors floundering at 115 for five.

New Zealand had looked like they might post a target of 400-plus following the blistering 153-run opening stand between Martin Guptill (85) and Rob Nicol (61).

Nicol, who scored 146 in the second match in Whangarei, was dropped by Tino Mawoyo on 10 in just the third over and made the Africans pay before he was trapped lbw by Prosper Utseya on the final ball of the 22nd over.

Guptill, who scored 70 in the first match and 77 in the second, had looked well placed for a century, but was dismissed on the next ball when he missed a wide down the leg side by left-arm spinner Ray Price, fell over and was stumped by Taibu.

The Zimbabwean

By Chris Ncube

8 February 2012

The football mother-body announced last week that it had indefinitely suspended 80 players and officials fingered in the controversial “Asiagate” scam. The suspended individuals allegedly received money to fix matches during tours of Asia between 2007 and 2009.

“I think that ZIFA is acting correctly,” Coltart told The Zimbabwean.

“That is subject, of course, to the rules of natural justice being followed and the enquiries being held urgently.”

Asiagate has already claimed a big scalp, in former ZIFA Chief Executive Officer, Henrietta Rushwaya, who was arrested last week. She was singled out as the chief architect of the biggest crisis to hit Zimbabwean football.

She sanctioned the trips, during which Zimbabwe suffered heavy losses to low-ranking nations like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Former champions, Monomotapa also toured Malaysia, masquerading as the national team. Meanwhile the Federation of International Football Associations said it was evaluating the issue before making a ruling.

“At the moment we are looking into the matter and can therefore, not comment further. We might be able to say more in a few weeks,” said a FIFA media officer.

The organisation has over the years shown no mercy to culprits involved in match fixing. Players and administrators allegedly involved in Asiagate risk receiving life bans from the sport.

The Zimbabwean

By Fungi Kwaramba

8 February 2012

Private colleges have mushroomed as a result of the deterioration in public education through mismanagement and corruption. But these colleges, which have proliferated in the last decade, do not offer sports, arts or cultural exchange.

Speaking at a launch the Zimbabwe Child Rights Audit, representatives accused the colleges of profiteering, as desperate parents lose patience with strikes by disgruntled teachers and plummeting standards in government schools.

“Children at these colleges do not dress properly and are often not well behaved,” said Sandile Gumede, the child governor for Harare.

Many colleges have children learning in overcrowded conditions. In some cases, children as young as 12 are exposed to adults as there is no age limit.

“A child does not only go to school to attain education but also to learn values for it is at schools that children learn their morals,” said Tomuseni.

Last year the Ministry of Education, Art Sports and Culture closed scores of unregistered private colleges, but child representatives noted that the clampdown did not resolve the problems.

The minister, David Coltart, said that the issue of private colleges was a cause for concern but said the blame lay with the present curriculum.

“It’s a major concern that the colleges are not following the rules, but the problem is with our curriculum that does not include culture, sports and arts. So we need to incorporate these into a new curriculum,” said Coltart.

The Zimbabwean

By Paul Ndlovu

8 February 2012

Zimbabwe has been ranked an average performing country in terms of local education examination assessment, a Cabinet minister has said.

“We have been ranked as a fairly average country in the assessment of local examinations at the Education World Forum held in London recently,” said Senator David Coltart, the Minister of Education, Arts, Sports and Culture.

The Education World Forum is a platform where education ministers discuss developments in the educational sectors of their various countries.

“We are not in a bad position, but we are striving to be like Singapore that is said to have the best standards,” said Coltart.

He said the development of Information Communication Technology was necessary in order for the country to see marked advances in the education sector.

“We need to apply ICT’s in all our schools so that we are in line with the latest trends. There is need to extend the application of ICT’s for better systems,” he said.

At the recently held ICT conference in Victoria Falls, the Minister said that he would like to increase the supply of computers to all schools. He said failure to use computer technology was going to see schools lagging behind other countries in Africa. Companies like Samsung, which were also at the conference, said they were willing to assist the country with its ICT programme.

“Samsung and Intel are willing to partner with Zimbabwe, and they have the latest technology that will benefit the country,” he said.

Many of Zimbabwe’s rural schools are not electrified, making the ICT programme impossible. However, the Minster said Samsung had plans to use advanced solar technology.

Kickoff.com

By Farirayi Kahwemba

6 February 2012

The Zimbabwean government is expecting Zifa to widen its net during an ongoing investigation into match-fixing allegations being levelled against national team players, coaches and the association’s officials.

So far the scandal has seen the arrest of former Zifa CEO Henrietta Rushwaya, who is now expected to be dragged before the courts this week for allegedly playing a leading role in ‘under-the-table’ deals that saw officials, coaches and players receiving huge sums of money in return for losing international matches played by the Warriors in Asia between 2007 and 2009.

Rushawaya, who is alleged to have made over R2-million for her central role in fixing the matches, has been questioned by police.

A committee led by a former Zimbabwe Supreme Court judge is also probing allegations that Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe raked in about R1.2-million after taking part in all the 15 matches that are in question, and that other players were given at least R77 600 per fixed match.

President Robert Mugabe, who met with Fifa president Sepp Blatter in Harare in 2010 shortly after the match-fixing allegations came to light, is said to be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Zifa investigation.

Mugabe, who is known to attend football matches in Zimbabwe involving the national teams, promised Blatter that anyone found guilty would face the “full wrath of the law”.

Zimbabwe’s Sports Minister, David Coltart, says Zifa must not be selective when punishing those found on the wrong side of the law. “The law must take its full course, without fear or favour.”

Zifa has complicated matters by not suspending the national team’s assistant coach, Joey Antipas, despite the fact that he made statements admitting he received money from an Asian betting syndicate.

But the football association says it will, in time, also address the issue of coaches and officials who have been fingered in the scam.

“Zifa has only made a position on the players fingered in the Asiagate scandal,” Zifa CEO Jonathan Mashingaidze tells Zimbabwean media. “There is no position yet on officials but eventually there will be.

“We are not shielding anyone at all. We are going in a systematic way. We are playing Burundi at the end of February, which is not far off, that is why preparations have to start,” adds Mashingaidze.