The Chronicle

28 October 2011

The Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture is lobbying the Government to build more schools in Bulawayo to reduce congestion at the city’s schools and improve the quality of education.

In an interview on Tuesday, Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo said the city was in need of additional schools especially in the new suburbs.

“We are doing our bidding for money to build more schools in the city in year 2012,” said Mr Moyo.

“We need new primary and secondary schools especially in the new suburbs such as Cowdray Park, Pumula South and Emgawnini.

“For instance we need two secondary schools in Hlalani Kuhle houses in Cowdray Park and another one in Pumula South. However, we are not in a position to say how much is needed as we are not sure how much Government will give us.”

Mr Moyo said there was a need for Government to expedite the completion of ongoing construction work of schools in the city to ensure that pupils were well catered for.

“There is a need to complete the outstanding construction projects in schools in order to ease congestion,” said Mr Moyo.

“I am glad that the Government early this year availed funding for the renovation of 10 schools. Some of the schools we have renovated include Amhlope Secondary School in Pumula East and Cowdray Park Secondary School.

“Funds have also been availed for the completion of Mncumbatha Secondary in Nkulumane Two, Emgawnini Primary and Emganwini Secondary.”

Mr Moyo said most pupils in the new suburbs were walking long distances to get secondary education.

Most schools in the city adopted hot sitting in order to accommodate more pupils due to shortage of classrooms.

Bulawayo residents have also expressed concern over the issue and blamed the development for poor performance.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Senator David Coltart has also echoed the same sentiments saying there was a need to build more schools in the city to ease hotsitting.

ProjectorPoint

By Joanne McCabe

28 October 2011

School children in rural areas of Zimbabwe are to benefit from projectors in their lessons, it has been revealed.

Apple provided the country’s government, led by Robert Mugabe, with solar-powered iPad2 devices to help rural teaching establishments. The gadgets will rely on the sun to keep them going and picoprojectors will be sent out with them to allow the devices to be of maximum use in the classroom.

David Coltart, the country’s education, sport, arts and culture minister, wrote on his Facebook page: “Great meeting with Apple today in Paris – unveiled a fascinating new ‘School Box’, which will take iPads to the most remote rural schools.

“Using solar power and micro projectors we will be able to bring computerised teaching aids to the poorest schools.”

In the past, Mugabe had attempted to supply computers to rural schools to boost education, but the efforts were largely unsuccessful due to a lack of electricity and too many thefts.

It had been thought that the plans involved a joint venture between Apple and the Zimbabwe government, but the technology giant has since confirmed that while the government will be sending out iPads, Apple has not been directly involved in the project. 

Please note: The press unfortunately have read too much into my comment. I need to stress that there is no agreement with Apple but we would like to use iPad technology and we are in discussions in this regard. Furthermore the “School box” concept is being run by the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dublin.  – David Coltart

Zimbabwe Guardian

28 October 2011

Yesterday’s Newsday reported thаt thе Ministry οf Culture wіƖƖ bе working іn conjunction wіth Apple tο introduce solar powered iPads fοr rural schools.  Just reading through thе article, іt doesn’t take much tο see thіѕ іѕ nοt factually rіɡht. Thе article stems frοm a post mаԁе bу Culture Minister David Coltart οn hіѕ Facebook wall аftеr hе met officials frοm thе Institute οf Art, Design аnԁ Technology (IADT) іn Dublin. Here’s thе full text οf thе post.

Fаntаѕtіс meeting wіth Apple today іn Paris – unveiled a fаѕсіnаtіnɡ nеw “School Box” whісh wіƖƖ take iPads tο thе mοѕt remote rural schools – using solar power аnԁ micro projectors wе wіƖƖ bе аbƖе tο bring computerised teaching aids tο thе poorest schools. I hope wе wіƖƖ ɡеt thе first pilot programmes started early next year. I аm very excited thаt Zimbabwe іѕ collaborating wіth Apple іn thіѕ ground breaking υѕе οf technology tο advance culture іn thе mοѕt remote schools. If wе саn ɡеt іt tο work іn Zimbabwe I аm sure іt wіƖƖ spread tο poor schools throughout Africa – аnԁ beyond.

Thе IADT іѕ preparation tο launch аn culture focused notebook kit thаt includes Apple’s iconic game changer. Thе minister latter added tο thе post (whісh hаԁ garnered a wave οf positive responses) wіth аn update οn hοw thе paper hаԁ misinterpreted hіѕ comments tο mean thаt Apple wаѕ a part οf thе project:

Thе press unfortunately hаνе read too much іntο mу comment. I need tο stress thаt here іѕ nο agreement wіth Apple bυt wе want tο υѕе iPad technology аnԁ wе аrе іn discussions іn thіѕ regard. Furthermore thе “School box” concept іѕ being run bу thе Institute οf Art, Design аnԁ Technology (IADT) іn Dublin.

Unfortunately, thе Internet being whаt іt іѕ, thе NewsDay tаƖе hаѕ already bееn picked up bу οthеr publications including reputable global tech news sites Ɩіkе Thе Next Web аnԁ Thе Register. WhіƖе Thе Register hаѕ posted a clarification update tο thеіr article, Thе Next Web hаѕ nοt. Hοw news travels quісk іn thеѕе connected times!

Topic-οf-fact aside, wе wholeheartedly believe іn ICTs becoming accessible tο more people; but thіѕ project itself сοuƖԁ bе impractical here. Firstly due tο thе fact thаt iPads cost ѕο much аnԁ secondly due tο thеіr iconic status, whісh сοuƖԁ lead tο thеm being ripped out οf thе kits аnԁ peddled tο a ready market. Judging bу thе crazy things people hаvе bееn known tο ԁο јuѕt tο ɡеt thеіr hands οn iPads, thе beleaguered ministry сοuƖԁ bе better οff handing out aPads οr ePads fοr thе project.  Really, thеу ԁο nοt need tο ɡο fοr dodgy copycats аѕ there іѕ now a wide array οf authentic alternatives thаt саn work well іn аn academic context

Thе Indian government recently rolled out thе Aakash, іtѕ $35 tablet aimed аt bridging thе digital divide. According tο аn exclusive review conducted bу Venturebeat two days ago, іt really works! Thіѕ сοuƖԁ сеrtаіnƖу work locally аnԁ save thе government, development partners аnԁ schools a lot οf money, time аnԁ effort. Hopefully thіѕ time round Minister Coltart wіƖƖ bе posting аn Aakash update tο hіѕ Facebook wall аnԁ doing іt frοm India’s tech capital, Bangalore.

VOA

By Tatenda Gumbo and Jonga Kandemiiri 

27 October 2011

Zimbabwe Teachers Association Chief Executive Officer Sifiso Ndlovu said ZIMRA has introduced a presumptive tax – i.e. based on estimated receipts – leading some teachers to press parents for incentive pay.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is said to have begun to tax teacher incentives, which teachers and their unions say should not be considered taxable income.

School headmasters are said to be working with ZIMRA to identify those receiving cash incentives paid by parents to compensate for low teacher salaries. Workers in urban schools receive at least US$150 a month in incentives, and some receive more.

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Chief Coporate Communicator Taungana Ndoro said the fiscal authority is still compiling a report on incentive taxation.

Education Minister David Coltart has stated that incentives are a non-taxable token of appreciation by parents, a position shared by unions representing teachers.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association Chief Executive Officer Sifiso Ndlovu said ZIMRA has introduced a presumptive tax on incentives – i.e. based on estimated receipts – leading some teachers to press parents for payments on which they expect to be taxed.

Union leaders said the move will create discord between parents and teachers.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Secretary General Raymond Majongwe told VOA reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that his condemns the taxation of teacher incentives.

But lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly, said Zimra under Zimbabwean tax law has a mandate to tax teachers and their incentives as income. He says the income tax code does not stipulate the types of income workers receive, but considers any monies received to be a form of income.

Madhuku said teachers must lobby for a tax exception for incentives.

Newsday

By Nqobile Bhebhe

27 October 2011

Government has entered into a joint venture with a leading global information technology company, Apple, to distribute solar-powered iPads to remote rural schools in Zimbabwe .

The programme is part of efforts to reduce the digital divide between the rural and urban areas in the country.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart, who is currently in Europe, announced the development yesterday via his Facebook page.

“Great meeting with Apple today in Paris (French capital) — unveiled a fascinating new ‘School Box’ which will take iPads to the most remote rural schools – using solar power and micro projectors we will be able to bring computerised teaching aids to the poorest schools. I hope we will get the first pilot programmes started early next year,” he wrote on his page.

“I am very excited that Zimbabwe is collaborating with Apple in this groundbreaking use of technology to advance education in the most remote schools. If we can get it to work in Zimbabwe I am sure it will spread to poor schools throughout Africa – and beyond.”

Students in developed nations use the sleek tablets to develop reports, conduct research, read e-books and study.

iPads can also be connected to a projector and easily share a multi-media presentation.

Most rural schools in Zimbabwe lack basic infrastructure and several computers donated by President Robert Mugabe as part of his rural computerisation programme have either been stolen or remained unused due to absence of electricity.

Please note: The press unfortunately have read too much into my comment. I need to stress that there is no agreement with Apple but we would like to use iPad technology and we are in discussions in this regard. Furthermore the “School box” concept is being run by the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dublin.  – David Coltart

ZimEye

27 October 2011

Zimbabwe’s rural schools are set to receive expensive iPads for the delivery of education services, David Coltart, the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture has said.

Coltart who is in Paris attending the 33rd UNESCO General Conference said Zimbabwe is collaborating with Apple in this groundbreaking use of technology to advance education in the most remote schools.

The iPads will be powered by revolutionary solar-power which the Apple company is also facilitating.

In line with this resolution the Zimbabwean delegation led by the Minister managed to create a facility from the Apple company in Paris - where the company unveiled a fascinating new “School Box” which will take iPads to the most remote rural schools – using solar power and micro projectors we will be able to bring computerised teaching aids to the poorest schools.

“I am confident we will be one of the first to benefit from a pilot program to be started early next year. I am very excited that Zimbabwe is collaborating with Apple in this ground breaking use of technology to advance education in the most remote schools. If we can get it to work in Zimbabwe I am sure it will spread to poor schools throughout Africa – and beyond,” the ecstatic Hon Coltart said.

Minister David Coltart who is also the MDC secretary for legal affairs is a minister in the Government of National Unity credited for bringing up the education system that had collapsed due to economic mismanagement by the Zanu PF regime.

Minister Coltart in his tenure has managed to source textbooks for all schools in Zimbabwe on a one textbook per student ratio, an unprecedented achievement in post independence Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean rural schools lack basic infrastructure and several computers donated by President Robert Mugabe as part of his rural computerisation programme have either been stolen or remained unused due to absence of electricity.

This development comes after a few weeks ago when the Minister of Trade, Industry and International Trade Prof Welshman Ncube who is also the MDC President managed to raise $40 million from the government for the Bulawayo Industries.

Zimbabwe’s rural schools are set to receive expensive iPads for the delivery of education services, David Coltart, the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture has said.

Coltart who is in Paris attending the 33rd UNESCO General Conference said Zimbabwe is collaborating with Apple in this groundbreaking use of technology to advance education in the most remote schools.

The iPads will be powered by revolutionary solar-power which the Apple company is also facilitating.

In line with this resolution the Zimbabwean delegation led by the Minister managed to create a facility from the Apple company in Paris - where the company unveiled a fascinating new “School Box” which will take iPads to the most remote rural schools – using solar power and micro projectors we will be able to bring computerised teaching aids to the poorest schools.

“I am confident we will be one of the first to benefit from a pilot program to be started early next year. I am very excited that Zimbabwe is collaborating with Apple in this ground breaking use of technology to advance education in the most remote schools. If we can get it to work in Zimbabwe I am sure it will spread to poor schools throughout Africa – and beyond,” the ecstatic Hon Coltart said.

Minister David Coltart who is also the MDC secretary for legal affairs is a minister in the Government of National Unity credited for bringing up the education system that had collapsed due to economic mismanagement by the Zanu PF regime.

Minister Coltart in his tenure has managed to source textbooks for all schools in Zimbabwe on a one textbook per student ratio, an unprecedented achievement in post independence Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean rural schools lack basic infrastructure and several computers donated by President Robert Mugabe as part of his rural computerisation programme have either been stolen or remained unused due to absence of electricity.

This development comes after a few weeks ago when the Minister of Trade, Industry and International Trade Prof Welshman Ncube who is also the MDC President managed to raise $40 million from the government for the Bulawayo Industries.

Please note: The press unfortunately have read too much into my comment. I need to stress that there is no agreement with Apple but we would like to use iPad technology and we are in discussions in this regard. Furthermore the “School box” concept is being run by the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dublin. – David Coltart

Zimbabwe Guardian

27 October 2011

Teachers hаvе many problems, the newest being a unilateral choice bу ѕοmе Zimra officers thаt thеіr incentive payments, trivial аѕ thеу аrе, form taxable income and that therefore thеу аrе accountable fοr presumptive tax tο bе deducted frοm thеіr salaries.

Minister οf Culture, Sport, Arts аnԁ Culture David Coltart, whο іѕ outside hіѕ public life, a lawyer, believes thаt thіѕ іѕ аn incorrect reading οf thе Public Service аnԁ taxation set οf laws, meaning thаt here іѕ room fοr line οf reasoning аnԁ debate οn thе topic.

More worryingly, іt appears thаt thе сhοісе tο assume teachers incentives fall within thе definition οf a fastidious type οf taxable income thаt allows presumptive taxes tο bе levied аѕ a payroll tax, wаѕ taken lacking аnу consultation wіth thе culture ministry οr thе teachers unions.

It seems tο υѕ here аrе two legal points tο bе settled: first аrе thе incentives taxable income, аnԁ οnƖу thеn саn legal opinion bе sought аѕ tο whether thеу аrе thе sort οf contract taxable income thаt саn bе taxed through deductions οn salaries.

Here seems tο bе room tο doubt even thе first point, аt Ɩеаѕt οn thе grounds οf equity.

Thе incentives come frοm parents, аnԁ therefore hаνе already bееn taxed when thе parents’ incomes wеrе taxed. Exhausting thеm a second time сοuƖԁ bе seen аѕ dual taxation.

Parents indeed саnnοt deduct school fees, school levies οr incentive payments frοm thеіr taxable income. Sο unlike payments mаԁе bу companies οr corporations, whісh сουƖԁ bе regarded аѕ salaries аnԁ whісh come out οf pretax income, incentives аnԁ аƖƖ οthеr payments tο schools come out οf post-tax income, аnԁ Zimra already hаѕ іtѕ share.

Objections tο thе second issue, whether Zimra саn levy presumptive taxes аnԁ hаνе thеѕе deducted frοm teachers’ Government salaries, seem tο rest οn even stronger grounds.

It hаѕ bееn mаԁе clear thаt incentive payments аrе a temporary measure, thаt here іѕ nο fixed figure laid down, аnԁ thаt here іѕ nο guarantee thаt thеу wіƖƖ bе mаԁе next month, nοr аt whаt level іf thеу wеrе paid. Nο teacher сουƖԁ sue іf thеу wеrе nοt paid аn incentive, аnԁ іn fact tens οf thousands οf teachers аrе nοt paid incentives.

Even іf legal opinion eventually comes tο thе conclusion thаt incentives аrе taxable, аnԁ thаt сhοісе mіɡht well hаνе tο remain іn doubt until thе courts hаνе heard a test case, іt appears thаt аnу taxes wουƖԁ hаνе tο bе deducted bу thе schools аnԁ thаt аƖƖ teachers іn receipt οf such payments wοuƖԁ hаνе tο submit annual tax returns fοr a final assessment.

Wе recognise thаt Zimra hаѕ thе legal duty tο hunt down аƖƖ taxable income earned bу everyone. Sο nο one саn nag thаt Zimra hаѕ raised thе issue.

Bυt thе way іt hаѕ bееn done stinks.

Indeed, fοr a upset thаt affects ѕο many people аnԁ іѕ open tο a variety οf interpretations, thе rіɡht path wουƖԁ hаνе bееn tο involve thе culture ministry frοm thе very beginning.

At thіѕ thе boards legal advice сουƖԁ hаνе bееn sought frοm thе Attorney General аnԁ іf here wаѕ still doubt аn urgent test case сουƖԁ hаνе bееn argued before thе High Court.

ShοuƖԁ Zimra bе thе winner οn one οr both іtѕ submissions, thеn іt аnԁ thе culture ministry, wіth thе Ministry οf Public Service involved аѕ well, сοuƖԁ work out a suitable procedure fοr revealing аnԁ reporting thе actual incentives paid, аnԁ a suitable way fοr thе calculated tax οn those sums tο bе paid, еіthеr through a withholding tax οr through a direct deduction, whісh wοuƖԁ change monthly, οn teachers salaries.

Zimra wοuƖԁ benefit frοm such аn deal wіth ѕіnсе thе legal issues wουƖԁ hаνе bееn resolved іn advance аnԁ thе application οf thе law wουƖԁ bе a topic fοr thе culture ministry tο enforce, rаthеr thаn hаνе odd tax officers wandering around threatening headmasters whο ԁο nοt know whеrе thеу stand.

Perhaps thе time іѕ approaching whereby thе total incentive system needs tο bе formalised аnԁ thе legal issues sorted out.

Incentives fοr teachers wеrе permitted tο solve three critical problems. Teachers wеrе leaving thе profession οr emigrating tο οthеr countries whеrе trained Zimbabwean teachers аrе valued vastly.

School-leavers wіth high levels οf academic attainment wеrе rejecting thе profession bесаuѕе іt seemed ѕο poorly paid іn Zimbabwe.

Anԁ finally those teachers whο remained іn thеіr posts wеrе having tο run private businesses, іf οnƖу selling chickens аnԁ vegetables tο each οthеr, tο mаkе ends meet; thе children wеrе nοt getting thе 100 percent attention thеу deserved аѕ a result.

Thе intention frοm thе very beginning wаѕ thаt thеѕе incentives wοuƖԁ bе reduced аnԁ eventually eliminated аѕ teachers’ pay rose. Thе money going οn incentives сοuƖԁ thеn bе reassigned tο οthеr school expenses tο upgrade facilities.

Wе hаνе suggested before thаt incentives ѕhοuƖԁ bе paid out οf levies bу thе School Development Association, rаthеr thаn bу parents directly tο teachers. Thіѕ wοuƖԁ eliminate one potential abuse, thаt teachers knowing whο hаѕ paid wіƖƖ give more time tο thе children οf thе paying parents.

SDAs саn legally enforce levy agreements. Such a system wοuƖԁ аƖѕο, іf Zimra wins іtѕ battles, ensure thаt here wаѕ a monthly list οf whο wаѕ paid whаt.

Bυt wе now hope thаt Zimra, ѕhοuƖԁ іt wish tο pursue thе topic, аѕ іt іѕ entitled tο ԁο ѕο, wіƖƖ ѕtοр thе ad-hoc methods ѕο far employed, engage thе culture аnԁ public service ministries, sort out thе legal issues аnԁ, іf іt іѕ found thаt incentives аrе taxable income, work out thе fairest way οf assessing аnԁ raising those taxes.

Zimra іѕ normally caring, аnԁ wіƖƖ hеƖр taxpayers calculate thе minimum thеу need pay, аnԁ thаt helpfulness needs tο bе carried over tο іtѕ dealings wіth thе tens οf thousands whο receive incentives.

The Herald

By Felex Share 

27 October 2011

Some teachers getting incentives from parents had presumptive tax deducted from their salaries this month. Government  sources said only incentives from the Public Service Commission were tax-free. Teachers’ unions said Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials argued that incentives were double pay and had to be taxed.

The educators say Zimra officials were working with the Salary Services Bureau to deduct the money. Zimra officials are reportedly working with headmasters who recommend names of teachers receiving the incentives.

Zimra spokesperson Mr Canisio Mudzimu did not respond to questions sent to him yesterday, while Zimra Commissioner General Mr Gershem Pasi’s phone went unanswered.

According to the Public Service Act, if a Government worker gets a supplementary salary, that person should declare the money for taxation.  Presumptive tax is an amount levied on an organisation or an individual’s profit at a prescribed percentage.

In a telephone interview from France where he is attending a Unesco General Assembly yesterday, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart confirmed receiving complaints from teachers.

He said the teachers were not double contracted because incentives were not salaries. “The matter has been brought to me before, but from a legal point of view, what they (Zimra) are doing is illegal,” he said. “An incentive is not a salary but a token of appreciation by parents, which is not taxable. This could be a racket that senior officials at Zimra might not be aware of and I am going to raise the matter with them.”

Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Lazarus Dokora yesterday said Zimra mooted the plan to tax teachers last year. He said Zimra’s argument was that the tax threshhold for teachers receiving incentives differed from those not receiving extra payments.

“We are aware that Zimra has been trying to tax teachers. They attempted it in schools in the northern region (Harare) and Mutare last year.  “These are some of the implications we warned of during meetings over incentives. If the incentives were effected by the PSC, they would be tax-free,” he said.

Teachers unions said their members in Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland provinces were the ones worst affected by the tax deductions. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Mr Takavafira Zhou yesterday said they had received numerous reports from their members over the matter.

“The teachers are told they flouted the law for the past year and it constitutes a criminal case,” he said. “A good example is that of Victoria Primary School in Masvingo, where the headmaster refused to release the names (of teachers getting incentives). The officials are moving around basing on the Public Service regulations but it is not fair because to us an incentive is only an honorarium,” he said.

Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo said it was “cruel to tax incentives”. “Our members are already suffering and parents are giving these small gifts and that is what they want to take away,” he said. “The police should look out for these officials as we have a belief that they might not be genuine Zimra officials but bogus ones working in cahoots with SSB,” he said.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said the union was still to get a full briefing from their field officers. He, however, said incentives were not equitable and sustainable and should not be taxed.

“What would they do in areas where one is getting maize and domestic animals as incentives,” he said. “Someone should intervene to save the already suffering teacher who is failing to make ends meet.”

Of late there have been meetings between teachers and their employer on whether to terminate the incentives or not.

• How to take tea and turn the tables on Mugabe – http://t.co/urhUVsNN – Opinion http://t.co/PyAwFyNB #
• Having a wonderful time with @Zimjinks #
• Just finished 3 days looking at UK Academies – good lessons learnt as I try to establish academies for talented disadvantaged #Zimbabweans #
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The Herald

21 October 2011

The Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture has expressed its condolences to the Moyo family and the nation at large following the death of sungura musician Tongai Moyo last Saturday.

Minister David Coltart said Zimbabwe had been robbed of an iconic and illustrious artiste who put the country on the music map through his meaningful compositions.

“(We) join the nation in mourning the loss of a cultural icon of the music industry. Tongai was one of the most illustrious and mega-entertainers in the music industry in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Minister Coltart noted the immense contribution that Tongai Moyo and others in the music industry at large, made towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product through employment creation.

“The Ministry recognises the great work that our musicians do in contributing to job creation and GDP. Tongai had an 18-member band in addition to many others who were in administration. Tongai did his part to popularise sungura music, create jobs for several people and left behind an army of fans that will miss him for years to come,” he said.

He commended Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu’s call for the establishment of a “Hall of Fame” for local artists so that their contribution to the nation will be cherished for posterity.

“The Zimbabwe Union of Musicians patron, Cde Webster Shamu, has expressed a deeply-felt need for a tangible space for honouring our cultural and artistic heroes,” he said.