The Herald

30 September 2011

Government is investigating circumstances surrounding evictions of headmasters and teaching staff at Anglican Church-run schools as it suspects the actions were disturbing learning activities.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart, said while he did not want to involve himself in the Anglican Church saga, it was imperative to establish whether the evictions being carried out by the deputy sheriff had no effect on pupils.

In an interview yesterday, Minister Coltart said he had asked the permanent secretary, Dr Stephen Mahere, to send an emissary to find out what was happening at the schools.

“About two weeks ago, I told the permanent secretary to dispatch the principal education director in Mashonaland East to visit the affected schools to investigate and report back on what was happening,” Minister Coltart said.

“I was expecting the report on Monday but I did not get it. I sent another memorandum to the permanent secretary on Wednesday asking for the report but I am still to get it.

“Once I get that report, I will be able to assess the circumstances and effect on children.”

Minister Coltart said that he had made it clear that whatever was going to be the outcome would have to be done in the best interest of pupils.

Government, the minister said, would not tolerate disruptions to lessons.

The deputy sheriff recently embarked on an eviction exercise, evicting some priests, headmasters and senior nursing staff on behalf of the Anglican Church Province of Zimbabwe led by Bishop Nolbert Kunonga.

These people were evicted for their allegiance to the Church of the Province of Central Africa’s Harare Diocese led by Bishop Chad Gandiya.

The evictions followed a Supreme Court judgment that gives custody of the property to Bishop Kunonga.

Bishop Kunonga is set to claim the Bernard Mzeki Shrine in Marondera, St Johns Chikwaka Mission and Shearley Cripps Children’s Home in Murehwa using the same Supreme Court order.

South African Hockey Association 

By Steve Jaspan

September 2011

The dust is settling over the Matabeleland savannah where the African Olympic Qualifier was held in Bulawayo earlier this month.  The African sunsets are beautiful with the sky tinged with orange and pink coloured brushstrokes.

Reflecting on the tournament and the African Hockey Federation’s Congress there are some very positive rays of sunshine with the shadow of some looming clouds.

On the positive side there is no doubt in my mind that in the men’s competition the playing gap between South African and Egypt on the one hand, and Ghana and

Kenya on the other hand has narrowed.

There were many tight games and the emerging talent is impressive.  Zimbabwe’s hockey is on the way back but they simply have not had sufficient international exposure in recent years and cannot be expected to compete at the same standard in the short term.  Knowing the talent they have we expect very tough competition ahead.

Nigeria and Namibia’s absence from the tournament, given their potential, was disappointing.

On the women’s side sadly the gap has not closed significantly and South Africa remains dominant but there is no doubt that Ghana and Kenya are improving and the Zimbabwe team showed encouraging signs.

Once again Nigeria and Namibia’s absence could not have helped their hockey standards and certainly “hurt” the tournament.

Regarding the umpiring there were some impressive performances but in general the standard needs to be lifted and more international exposure is needed.

The tournament also illustrated that Africa has some very competent and promising technical officials but again clearly more international exposure is needed.

African Hockey like the Continent itself has enormous potential.  We all know the challenges that the Continent faces and the responsibility that rests with the African Hockey Federation to broaden and intensify development, improve playing standards, governance and administration in its member national associations.

However, these efforts are likely to be sorely tested unless all the members fully support the initiatives, compete in tournaments and participate in Congresses and forums.

Our destiny lies in our own hands and despite generous offers of assistance from the FIH and European Hockey Federation, it is the hockey community of Africa that must shape its own destiny.

Like carving a sculpture from marble this requires hard-work and dedication.

An example of what can be achieved was the magnificent work of Senator David Coltart, Zimbabwe Minister of Sport, Gavin Stephens and his local Organising Committee and the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe for restoring the Khumalo Stadium to its magnificent former glory and running a top quality tournament.

Congratulations to you all.

Zimbabwean

29 September 2011

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development has committed $35 million towards the implementation of the government’s National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

The Action Plan, launched by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare last week, aims to improve the plight of the poorest and most vulnerable children in Zimbabwe over the next four years.

President Mugabe did not attend the launch, which was attended by Tsvangirai’s deputy Thokozani Khupe, Education minister David Coltart, minister of Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare Paurina Mpariwa, DFID boss Dave Fish and UNICEF boss Peter Salama.

Britain’s coalition government has applauded economic progress under Zimbabwe’s power-sharing government, but wants more political reforms. It has promised more aid if the GNU unlocks more political reforms and conducts free and fair polls.

The DFID director said his organisation, in partnership with the Netherlands, Sweden and the European Union, would provide cash transfers to the poorest households and ensure that the most vulnerable children in Zimbabwe were protected from violence and abuse.

The unity government is credited with stabilising an economy crushed by hyperinflation about two and half years ago and reducing political violence. The UK government says it is rewarding this progress.

But the cash will not go through government. A specific funding mechanism, the Child Protection Fund, managed by UNICEF to support the implementation of the plan has been set up.

“We are committed to working with the national government, bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners to protect the most vulnerable and support the poorest households in Zimbabwe to climb out of poverty,” said Fish.

An estimated 1.7 million people countrywide are facing acute hunger in Zimbabwe – a country which once fed its people and exported food to the world. Every day, 400 people die of AIDS-related diseases. Zimbabwe has more orphans as a percentage of the population than any other country in the world, largely because of HIV.

DFID supports a range of development programmes that directly benefit the most vulnerable, helping to reduce poverty and hunger; increase access to education and employment; empower women and girls; improve maternal and child health; reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS; and reduce the number of people without access to water and sanitation. This year DFID’s budget for Zimbabwe is $130m, the largest ever, Fish said.

Newsday

By Silas Nkala

29 September 2011

A recent directive by the Public Service Commission (PSC) for all senior Education officials who had assumed temporary administrative duties to revert back to their original work stations, has reportedly triggered a serious staffing crisis at the country’s district and provincial offices.

Between 2006 and 2009, government reassigned a total of 459 senior teachers and headmasters to man its district and provincial offices as a stop-gap measure following a massive brain drain that saw qualified personnel leave the country in droves.

But, in a letter dated July 28, the PSC advised Secretary for Education Stephen Mahere to reverse the arrangement.

Part of the letter titled: “Re-deployment of teachers performing administration duties at head and provincial offices to their respective stations: total 459”, the PSC stated it wanted to clean up its Salary Services Bureau payroll.

“It has been noted that there are several teachers, deputy heads and heads that are not performing their core duties and are now stationed either at head offices, provincial or district offices performing various administrative duties. The members are still using the teachers’ codes,” reads the PSC letter.

“Please be advised that these members should return to their work stations and resume their normal duties by not later than September 1, 2011, failure of which the PSC will take appropriate disciplinary action against the ministry’s human resources personnel as well as considering the removal of the said teachers from the payroll.”

But, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart yesterday said he was not aware of the letter. “I am not aware of the letter. It was not copied to me and it would be good for you to contact the permanent secretary, Mahere,” said Coltart.

Mahere was not available for comment on Wednesday while a human resources official in the ministry declined to comment saying she was not allowed to comment over the phone.

“Address your questions directly to the ministry. I am not allowed to respond over the telephone,” she said.

Sources from district education offices revealed that following the PSC directive, the ministry reacted and moved the teachers, leaving most district and provincial offices with a skeletal staff complement.

Newsday

29 September 2011

For the past four years, Zifa has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons.

The previous board, led by Wellington Nyatanga, proved powerless to run the game and stands accused of allegedly selling the soul of the nation through match- fixing.

This is the scourge that has affected football since the day Monomotapa decided not to fulfil their league match against Highway in Mutare on that fateful afternoon in 2009 that gave away the match-fixing scandals.

Three years down the line, two reports have been produced on the dirty deals detailing the trips that officials, journalists and players were involved in, leading to the suspension of three officials.

Under very difficult and sometimes life-threatening circumstances, Zifa has started on the road to football rehabilitation and the visit by Fifa head of security Chris Eaton and his chief investigator Terry Stean is testimony of the wonderful job that the new Cuthbert Dube-led Zifa board has done.

Even Eaton, during his visit to Zimbabwe, from Saturday to Monday night, acknowledged the steps taken by the national association and pledged the world football governing body’s support to see justice carried out.

And now what is needed is the support of all State organs in unravelling this scam and the police have already taken the lead.

Three Dynamos stars were quizzed by detectives in May as police began a major investigation into match-fixing allegations.

Washington Arubi, David Kutyauripo and Guthrie Zhokinyi were the first players to face investigators from the CID Serious Fraud Squad and many more will still be called in to give their side of the story.

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) is the supreme sports body in the country and most, if not all, the trips took place without their knowledge.

Without proper legislation in place to deal with match-fixing, one wonders why the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart has been silent about pushing for such legislation, save for calling for the police to step in.

Instead, it has been Kambuzuma MP Willas Madzimure who has pushed that motion in the House of Assembly to investigate Asiagate via the setting-up of a commission of inquiry.

In March, it was perfectly legal to fix sports games in Bulgaria since it was not against the law. Now it attracts a minimum penalty of $3 000 plus six years in prison if one is found guilty under the penal code system. Zimbabwe can take a cue from that.

Fifa has been unequivocal about life bans on all involved, although an olive branch exists where confessions can be used to mitigate the punishments to be handed down by the disciplinary committee.

And while there are obvious loopholes in the second Asiagate report, it goes without saying that none of the perpetrators ever thought the investigations would reach these levels, nor that Eaton would ever visit Zimbabwe.

But for now, Zifa must get the kudos for a job well done as they take to cleaning up the world’s “most beautiful game”.

Daily News                            

By Chengetai Zvauya          

29 September 2011

Harare – Education, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart says government intends to set up a professional teachers’ council to administer the welfare of the teachers and improve their professional conduct.

Coltart told the Daily News that his ministry was hoping to bring professionalism to the teaching profession.

“This Council will be similar to the work of the Law Society of Zimbabwe which regulates lawyers, and it is never our intention to monitor the teachers but we think there is a need for this council,” said Coltart.

Coltart said that government did not want to investigate the operations of the teachers unions that are collecting subscriptions from the members.

“There is no law that compels us to investigate the teachers unions and the rights of teachers to approach the courts for criminal or civil charges against their unions if they feel that they are being short-changed by their unions,” said Coltart.

There are three major teachers unions in the country namely Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta), Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and the Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (TUZ).

Zimta has 40 000 members, and PTUZ has 15 000 while TUZ has 10 000 members.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Secretary General Raymond Majongwe said his union had nothing to worry about as their operations were above board.

“We are running our organisation in a professional manner and we are also a trade union and our members are free to approach us if they need any clarification from us because we have nothing to hide from them,” said Majongwe.

Teachers have become powerful trade union affiliate with 90 000 members who engaged in a bruising battle with government over salary increments and have throughout the year been threatening to go on strike.

Herald                       

Wednesday, 28 September 2011 

By Felex Share 

GOVERNMENT and teachers’ unions met in Harare yesterday and agreed that parents and guardians continue paying  incentives to the educators until a solution is hammered.

The two parties agreed to convene an urgent all-stakeholders’ conference to determine whether or not to entirely abolish the incentives. The conference is slated for October 18.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said incentives were a “necessary evil” that needed “multi-faceted solutions”.

“Our intention is to scrap them because they are divisive and discriminatory, but this has to be in a manner that does not disrupt the education sector,” he said.

“This is a complex issue and we have to bring in other stakeholders like the Ministry of Finance, school heads, School Development  Associations and parents to see what can be done.”

He said if incentives were to continue in urban schools, his ministry would call for the reintroduction of allowances for rural teachers.

“This is the only way that we can have equity between the rural and the urban folk. This is another reason for including the Finance Ministry. We have to agree on mechanisms that make the system equitable and transparent,” he said.

Teachers’ unions had gone into yesterday’s meeting demanding the immediate scrapping of the incentives.

They blamed Minister Coltart for consulting them at the last minute. The unions said the minister was “using them” to find a solution to problems he created.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said they were in a “dicey situation” but would lobby for the removal of the incentives.

“We have agreed to this arrangement in the interest of normalcy in our schools. Hopefully, the forthcoming meeting would provide us with a way to manoeuvre out of this mess.

Incentives must go, say teachers’ unions

“We must have one employer, which is Government and we have agreed to consult so that we do not shortchange parents, pupils and teachers,” he said.

Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo said while there were divisions within unions, a “win-win” situation had to be found.

“We have realised that it is also dangerous to scrap them now. There has been pandemonium among the union leaders, but I don’t think this is the right time to scrap them off,” he said.

Mr Nyawo said the unions blamed the ministry for failing to consult them when the incentives were introduced.

SW Radio Africa

By Lance Guma

28 September 2011

Education Minister Senator David Coltart has told SW Radio Africa that the controversial system of teacher’s incentives was a ‘necessary evil’ needed to stabilize the education sector. Coltart says when he took over in 2009, teachers were paid a pittance and there was total chaos in the sector.

Under the scheme parents pay a levy to the School Development Association (SDA) which in turn uses some of the money to pay teachers a supplementary income on top of their normal salaries.

The scheme has been criticised for only benefiting some 15 percent of teachers, mainly in the urban centres, while the other 85 percent predominantly in the rural areas, did not benefit from the incentives.

Coltart disputed the figure of 15 percent saying there was no empirical survey or evidence to back this but conceded the majority of teachers were not benefiting and the system was not sustainable in the long term. The Ministry and the teachers unions have this week agreed to keep the incentives in place until an all stakeholders workshop is held next month to try to find a lasting solution.

What has made the problem even more complex, according to the minister, is that there is no consensus between the teachers unions on the issue. The Progressive Teachers’ Union feel the incentives have caused confusion and divided teachers. The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association and the Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe want teachers in rural areas to be given rural allowances.

Coltart meanwhile told SW Radio Africa that the proposal for teachers to get a ‘rural allowance’ was a ‘good short term measure’ but that ultimately, adequate salaries for teachers would be the ideal solution. Unfortunately the government is ‘someway off’ being able to pay salaries that can be considered adequate, he said.

Newsday

By Chief Reporter

28 September 2011

The Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture and teachers’ unions have agreed to keep teachers’ incentives in place until an all stakeholders’ workshop is held next month.

Education minister David Coltart last night said the parties agreed the issue was complex and needed the input of other stakeholders such as parents, churches, officials from the Ministry of Finance and school development associations for lasting solutions to be found.

“I have agreed to convene a stakeholders’ conference from 18 to 20 October to look at the issue,” Coltart said. “This means incentives will remain in place until the workshop. The ministry will deploy officials to particular schools where there has been disruption (of classes) to find solutions in the short term, while we work on the long term solutions.”

He said outcomes from the stakeholders’ workshop would be incorporated into the review of the education sector which he was carrying out.

The president of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, Takavafira Zhou, said his organisation supported the outcome of the meeting but remained strongly against incentives, saying they had caused confusion and divided teachers.

He said the incentives had only benefited about 15% of teachers while 85%, most of whom were in rural areas, were going without.

“We highlighted our position, but the government side also told us that the intention was to raise salaries to at least $500 after which the incentives would be scrapped.

“But we strongly feel that they should be done away with unless they are standardised, because they have brought a lot of divisions and chaos,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association and the Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe were also against the incentives, preferring that teachers in rural areas be given rural allowances. The teachers’ representatives called on the government to look into the issue of rural allowances in the next budget.There has been disruption of classes at some schools when teachers downed tools demanding incentives.

Newsdzezimbabwe

28 September 2011

GOVERNMENT and teachers’ unions met in Harare yesterday and agreed that parents and guardians continue paying  incentives to the educators until a solution is hammered.

The two parties agreed to convene an urgent all-stakeholders’ conference to determine whether or not to entirely abolish the incentives.

The conference is slated for October 18.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said incentives were a “necessary evil” that needed “multi-faceted solutions”.

“Our intention is to scrap them because they are divisive and discriminatory, but this has to be in a manner that does not disrupt the education sector,” he said.

“This is a complex issue and we have to bring in other stakeholders like the Ministry of Finance, school heads, School Development Associations and parents to see what can be done.”

He said if incentives were to continue in urban schools, his ministry would call for the reintroduction of allowances for rural teachers.

“This is the only way that we can have equity between the rural and the urban folk. This is another reason for including the Finance Ministry. We have to agree on mechanisms that make the system equitable and transparent,” he said.

Teachers’ unions had gone into yesterday’s meeting demanding the immediate scrapping of the incentives.

They blamed Minister Coltart for consulting them at the last minute. The unions said the minister was “using them” to find a solution to problems he created.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said they were in a “dicey situation” but would lobby for the removal of the incentives.

“We have agreed to this arrangement in the interest of normalcy in our schools. Hopefully, the forthcoming meeting would provide us with a way to manoeuvre out of this mess.