Sunday Mail
By Fortunate Jaravaza
13th September 2009

As part of measures to revive the country’s education system, the Government will tomorrow unveil a massive scheme under which all State-run primary and secondary schools will receive textbooks.

The programme is expected to significantly cut Zimbabwe’s pupil-to-book ratio, which stands at 40-to-one.

In an interview last week, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, said his ministry had, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), facilitated the publication of the learning material.

He said the textbooks would boost the local education sector, adding that the European Union, the United States, Norway, Sweden and Japan were among those who funded the initiative.

“The massive textbook launch will take place at Mutasa Primary School in Highfields in Harare on Monday (tomorrow). The ministry will unveil textbooks that cater for subjects being taught at primary and secondary school level,” said Senator Coltart.

“The entire exercise will only be focusing on Government schools around the country.” The textbook scheme is expected to help improve teaching and learning conditions in Government schools, which had deteriorated over the last few years.

A shortage of stationery ranked among the major problems afflicting the education sector.
In the past, Government would provide the material at a nominal fee, but the country’s dire economic situation has continued to inhibit its capacity to perform this function.

An interim report by the Education Advisory Board shows that Government schools are operating way below capacity.

ZimDiaspora.com
11th September 2009

THE European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht will undertake a joint visit to Zimbabwe as part of an EU Troika mission with the Swedish EU Presidency on Saturday 12 th and Sunday 13 th September.

The joint-EU mission aims to underline the urgent need for Zimbabwe’s unity government to fully implement the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in order for the EU to be able to fully re-engage with Zimbabwe and restore its co-operation assistance in full. The joint EU mission to Zimbabwe follows on from the visit by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and members of the inclusive government to Brussels in mid-June to re-launch the political dialogue between the EU and Harare. Discussions on the Saturday are expected to be held with all parties including with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Bulawayo and President Robert Mugabe in Harare.

Commissioner De Gucht will also meet with Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.

Commissioner Karel De Gucht stated, “There is an urgent need for all parties to fulfil their obligations under the Global Political Agreement (GPA). By doing this, the EU can once again fully re-engage with Zimbabwe and help the country on its return to normality and prosperity by resuming our development cooperation in full. This is a critical time for Zimbabwe and the weight of responsibility falls squarely on the country’s leaders to deliver urgent political, economic and social progress for the benefit of all the people of Zimbabwe. They must work together to resolve any difficulties surrounding the GPA’s full implementation. We have seen some stabilisation of the economy in recent months and with this visit I am looking forward to the possibility to meet with the three Principals of the Agreement, so as to listen to them and discuss the way forward towards the normalization of EU-Zimbabwe relations”.

On Saturday, Commissioner Karel De Gucht will also meet Zimbabwean Minister of Education David Coltart to launch the European Commission’s contribution of €7.5 million to the education sector, mainly aimed at providing teaching and learning material to Zimbabwean primary schools.

On the Sunday morning, Commissioner Karel De Gucht will also visit a key Commission funded humanitarian project in Chitungwiza just outside Harare. The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department, under the direct responsibility of the Commissioner, provided €1.4 million euros for the rehabilitation of the Prince Edward water treatment plant as well as supporting direct hygiene and sanitation action in the fight against the 2008/9 Cholera outbreak.

The European Commission is the overall main donor to vulnerable populations of Zimbabwe, having provided €572 million in both humanitarian and essential development aid to the population since 2002.

Herald
By Felex Share
11th September 2009

The Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council has extended the registration dates for this year’s Ordinary and Advanced Level papers to September 25 after gathering that more than three quarters of potential candidates might have failed to register because they were still to pay the fees.

The examinations body had set today as the deadline for the payment of fees but it appears most parents have so far failed to pay them.

The exam fees are US$10 a subject for O-Level and US$20 a subject for A- Level.

In a statement yesterday, Zimsec acting director Mr Esau Nhandara said they had realised the need to extend the dates but the fees remained unchanged.

A number of schools had told Zimsec that it would be impractical to administer this year’s public examinations because of the small numbers of candidates who had registered.

A snap survey showed low levels of registration by students intending to sit for O and A Level examinations.

Another survey by the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe indicates that up to 75 percent of candidates were yet to register.

In separate interviews, a number of school heads in Harare and Chitungwiza revealed that between 15 and 30 percent of their candidates had been able to pay the required examination fees.

Contacted for comment, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said Government was trying to work out a way in which all candidates could sit for their examinations.

He was, however, quick to highlight that running the examinations would be difficult if parents failed to pay the gazetted fees.

“Zimsec uses the money it collects in fees for preparing for examinations and printing question papers.

“If they fail to get the money then it means a big problem for the nation as Government does not have the funds at the moment.

“We will make sure that justice is done to the pupils who are the future leaders of the country,” said Minister Coltart.

Hard-hit are students in rural areas, where an estimated 75 percent of students had failed to register.

For instance in Manicaland Province, out of an estimated 5 000 O- Level candidates, only 1 170 had paid the fees, the union said.

PTUZ secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said: “In Bulawayo, less than 50 percent of O- Level students have paid.

“In Harare, at Seke 4 High 50 out of about 300 have registered; at Mufakose High 1 out of a possible 315 students 78 have registered to sit for the O-Level exams.”

He said at Tafara High School of the 77 registered students, out of a possible 239, 52 had their fees paid by a non-governmental organisation.

Mr Majongwe said the initial indications of their study were that nationwide about 75 percent of potential candidates may have failed to register.

It remains doubtful, however, that the deadline extension will significantly change the picture.

Parents who spoke to The Herald yesterday said Zimsec had told them to “hurry up and register” but they simply could not fork out what was being asked for.

An irate parent Mr Roy Matende of Harare, who said he could not raise the examination fees for his son, said Government should have done something to ensure that the cost remained affordable.

Many parents had been struggling to pay school fees, he said, and it was unlikely that they would be able to raise what he described as the “exorbitant” exam fees.

Mr Matende said while parents could opt to put their children in schools that ask for lower school fees, they had no such option when it came to sitting for public exams.

“By virtue of it being the right of every child to sit for these public exams, every parent whether employed or unemployed should be able to afford examination fees.

“What we have now is a situation where education continues to become more and more expensive.

Another parent Ms Locadia Sabuta, a vendor, said it was better for her Sixth Form daughter to write the examinations when they were affordable, as she had no means of raising the required amount.

“I do not know where to start at the moment. It is painful to educate my daughter up to this level and then the last thing I do is fail to pay her exam fees,” she said.

She called upon the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture to use its prerogative to instruct that all candidates be registered and allowed to write exams while other payment logistics were being worked out.

SW RadioAfrica
By Violet Gonda
11 September 2009

The strike action led by the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) is going into its third week, with no solution in sight. ZIMTA embarked on a nationwide strike for better salaries and working conditions, to coincide with the start of the new term on September 3rd. ZIMTA acting Chief Executive Officer, Sifiso Ndlovu, said the strike action will continue until the authorities prioritised education. However he said the union is waiting for a number of crises meetings with the authorities next week. Ndlovu said this was as a result of meetings they first had with Education Minister David Coltart on September 8th and a follow-up meeting with Public Service Minister, Eliphas Mukonoweshuro.

According to Ndlovu they have also been directed to present their grievances to the National Joint Negotiating Council, which operates under the Public Service Ministry. He said; “We hope at that meeting we should be able to reach an understanding.”

ZIMTA is demanding a salary increase, up from about US$150 a month to US$500, however the government has said this is beyond its means. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was quoted this week saying teachers should stop their industrial action as there was no way government could cede to their demands, as it is broke. Reports quoted the PM addressing a stakeholders’ briefing at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College saying the teachers “cannot squeeze blood out of a stone.”
Tsvangirai is also quoted saying: “We are all earning the same amount and I believe the decision by teachers to go on strike was a bad proposition.”

Ndlovu believes the crisis in their sector is not about the government’s lack of resources, but about misplaced priorities. He told SW Radio Africa on Friday: “We have identified areas of wastage where we think government has had its priorities wrong and areas where we think they can channel some of the resources to education.”

Since the formation of the coalition government, the authorities have been criticised for spending much needed money on buying expensive vehicles for officials and extensive globetrotting, at a time when it should be streamlining all expenditure to set an example that the new government was going to be different to the old.

Ndlovu insists the teachers are aware of the government’s economic crisis, but are asking for their salaries to be increased progressively towards the poverty datum line, which at present is $502.

ZimDiaspora.com
By Correspondent
11the September 2009

Desperates parents at some schools in Zimbabwe’s second largest city Bulawayo have resolved to give teachers “incentives” so that they conduct lessons as the strike called by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association continues.

The teachers’ strike which comes barely a week after The Zim Diaspora revealed that Mr Mugabe was paying “green bombers” wages equivalent to those of teachers and nurses. The unending strike has crippled the country’s education system which at some point was arguably the best in the African continent..

Worried that the strike was negatively affecting their children, especially those sitting for public examinations which start next month, some parents through the School Development Associations and Parent Teachers Associations have come up with incentives to enable teachers to conduct lessons.

Parents at schools such as Henry Low Primary School, Kumalo Primary School, Robert Tredgold Primary School and Hillside Junior School are either giving cash incentives or groceries to teachers to urge them to report for duty.

Teachers at Kumalo Primary School have not been teaching since Zimta called for a strike at the beginning of the term, but the parents held a meeting with them yesterday and urged them to return to work, promising to pay a US$6 incentive per child per month.

The money will go towards “cushioning” teachers.

“We agreed that the teachers should report to work on Friday so that lessons resume,” said a parent who attended the meeting.

At Henry Low Primary School in Greenhill some well-wishers are giving teachers groceries, as a way of cushioning them.

The school was not affected by last year’s strike and has also not been affected this term after parents intervened to ensure that their children got education.

Most schools in the high-density suburbs are not conducting lessons although church-run schools such as St Colombas High School and St Patrick’s Primary School in Makokoba are running smoothly after teachers and parents reached an understanding.

Teachers at Inzwananzi Primary School in Luveve are also reporting for duty as they are getting incentives from parents.

There are no lessons being conducted at a majority of schools in high-density suburbs, as teachers are not reporting for duty.

Some teachers are also reportedly demanding money from pupils so that they conduct lessons.

A number of teachers have resorted to holding private lessons at their homes where they are making a killing from desperate pupils especially those writing their Ordinary Levels and Advanced Levels this year.

Most of the pupils are not adequately prepared because teachers spent the better part of last year on strike.

The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart is on record saying parents can give incentives to teachers through the School Development Associations although they are not allowed to demand incentives from parents.

Radiovop.com
10th September 2009

Gwanda, September 10, 2009 – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Wednesday there was no need for teachers to continue with their industrial action as there was no way government would cede to their demands as it is broke.

Addressing a stakeholder briefing at Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic Tsvangirai said the teachers “cannot squeeze blood out of a stone”.

He said the country had a debt of US $5 billion and needed at least US $200 million monthly to respond to government’s needs. “We are all earning the same amount and I believe the decision by teachers to go on strike was a bad proposition”, he said.

Tsvangirai said civil servants salaries could only be increased when the economy stabilized. “When things improve the salaries will also improve”, added the Prime Minister.

A meeting between the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart and the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) ended in deadlock Tuesday.

Teachers went on strike when schools opened for the third term on September 02 demanding a review of their salaries.

Most rural schools in Matabeleland South have since closed with pupils being told they will be recalled when the things normalize.

ZIMTA, which commands a large following, has proposed government re-introduces the US$100 allowance and gradually increase the basic salary to US$500 by year end.

The strike could disrupt public examinations set for next month.

VOA
By Sithandekile Mhlanga
Washington
09 September 2009

The government says it is continuing its efforts to engage in talks with leaders of teachers’ organisations in the country to bring to an end a strike which has brought learning in some schools to a standstill.

Teachers affiliated to the progressive teachers’ union of Zimbabwe are striking two days every week, while their colleagues under the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association have downed tools completely, seeking a salary hike.

Education Minister David Coltart says he hopes the talks will be fruitful so teachers can go back to the classrooms.

The Herald
9 September 2009

Harare — The Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe yesterday accused their rival Zimbabwe Teachers Association of taking teachers for a ride to gain political mileage.

The two bodies boycotted a meeting with Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart organised by Zimta, saying their rival had abandoned teachers’ grievances for politics.

Minister Coltart had to juggle between a conference room where representatives of PTUZ and TUZ sat and his office where Zimta representatives were waiting for him.

This came as teachers at schools in high and medium density suburbs boycotted lessons, heeding a Zimta call to go on strike. Minister Coltart had called on the three teachers unions to discuss salary grievances and working conditions.

Zimta called for a national strike last week after it failed to agree with the ministry on salary adjustments. In an interview yesterday, Minister Coltart said he would engage the other two unions today and take the issue to Cabinet.

“I am leaving no stone unturned because the children are the ones who are suffering, particularly now when they are approaching national examinations due next month.

“We had a productive meeting and I have undertaken to raise the issues in Cabinet and will be reporting to the unions of the resolutions. I have also explained the difficulties that the Government is facing. “I intend to meet them (PUTZ and TUZ) tomorrow (today) and discuss the issue that we discussed with Zimta,” he said.

He promised to deal with the unions fairly and transparently and hoped the unions would also reach a consensus among themselves for the good of the children.

Zimta secretary general Richard Gundane said the association had met with the ministry and highlighted their concerns.

“Issues raised include improvement of the basic salary and the introduction of allowances, teachers who want to come back through the window of amnesty and the incentives. We feel the burden of incentives should be removed from parents. The issues are supposed to be discussed in further meetings,” he said.

A survey by The Herald showed teachers did not attend lessons at most Government schools in Kuwadzana, Glen Norah, Glen View, Highfield , Mbare and in a number of schools in Chitungwiza.
Minister Coltart said the situation was the same at schools in Bulawayo where he said teachers were reporting for duty but not conducting lessons. Some teachers took the opportunity to conduct private and extra lessons for a fee.

However, at Glen View 1 High School, teachers were conducting lessons while at Glen View 1 Primary School half of the about 40 teachers were working while the others did not report for duty. Pupils said some teachers were asking for between US$1 and US$3 to conduct extra lessons a week.

Some parents have vowed not to pay, saying teachers were exploiting the situation to fleece them of their money.

The Chronicle
Chronicle Reporter
9th September 2009

THE much awaited meeting between the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart and the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) ended in deadlock with either party refusing to give in.

In a telephone interview from Harare last night, Minister Coltart said the leaders of ZIMTA refused to call for the end of the strike while negotiations continued.

However, he described the meeting, which was reportedly boycotted by other teachers’ unions, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (TUZ) as “productive and constructive”.

The teachers’ unions have issued conflicting statements concerning the strike with PTUZ and TUZ saying teachers should go back to work while ZIMTA has been against the idea.

“When people sit down to negotiate there are bound to be differences, we also had our differences. However, I would like to say that the meeting was fruitful as we made a number of resolutions that would be the starting point in our next meeting,” said Minister Coltart.

He could not be drawn into revealing the resolutions. “At the moment I cannot say much as it could jeopardise the negotiations,” said Minister Coltart.

He said he would table the resolutions at a Cabinet meeting as well as discuss the outcome of the meeting with the Ministers of Finance, Tendai Biti and that of Public Service Professor Elphas Mukonoweshuro.

“It would be taken to Cabinet to inform it of the progress that was made during today’s meeting as this would help in making informed decisions as you know that the Government through the Finance Ministry has announced that it has limited financial resources,” said Minister Coltart.

“I believe it would be of paramount importance that Cabinet sits down and deliberate on the resolutions in earnest so that teachers go back to work especially taking into consideration that we are fast approaching the November public examinations period.”

ZIMTA leaders could not be reached for comment last night.

The teachers went on strike when schools opened for the third term on 2 September demanding a review of their salaries and other working conditions. Teachers like most civil servants are earning an average of $155.

ZIMTA, the largest teacher organisation, has proposed that Government re-introduce US$100 allowance and progressively increase the basic salary until it reaches US$500 by December.

In Bulawayo learning has not been taking place with gates at some schools locked.On Monday parents with children at Bulawayo schools said the on-going strike was an indication that the educators were insensitive to the plight of children.

Meanwhile, most schools and examination centres in Bulawayo have stopped registering candidates for the November public examinations despite the fact that the deadline is Friday thereby leaving many students in a quandary.

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) set this Friday as the deadline for registration but most examination centres in the city stopped the registration exercise on Monday while others stopped yesterday.

Officials from ZIMSEC’s Bulawayo office however told Chronicle that the deadline for payment had not been brought forward.

“The closing date is 11 September, which is Friday. Nothing has changed,” said an official who requested anonymity saying he was not allowed to speak to the Press.

A few examination centres, among them Founders High School, Zimbabwe Distance Education College and Foundation College were still registering candidates yesterday.

“I had to run around to pay the examination fees for my daughter at Townsend High School because the school authorities had set 7 September as the deadline for paying whereas I had budgeted for 11 September. The authorities told me that 11 September was the deadline for the registration papers to reach the ZIMSEC offices, so I had to run around,” said Mrs Miriam Moyo.

A lot of parents were running around this week trying to raise examination fees for their children after realising that a majority of examination centres wanted candidates to be registered early.

This reporter saw several pupils from Foundation College, as well as some external candidates, queuing at the college’s main offices along Herbert Chitepo begging to be registered after 2pm which was the centre’s deadline.

Officials at the schools said they had pushed forward the deadline in order for them to have time to check whether all the candidates had been properly registered while also ensuring that there was adequate time for the registration papers to reach the ZIMSEC offices in Harare.

ZIMSEC set examination at $10 per subject for O-Level candidates and $20 for those sitting for Advanced Levels.