Reuters
Sunday May 3 2009
By Cris Chinaka

HARARE, May 3 (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s government has ordered all state schools to slash their fees as it struggles with an economic crisis desperately crying out for massive foreign aid, a local official newspaper said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told a Friday May Day rally a new unity government he formed with his rival President Robert Mugabe in February to try end a political and economic crisis was broke and could not meet union demands for higher wages.

Zimbabwe’s Sunday Mail newspaper said Education Minister David Coltart had recommended state schools catering for a majority of Zimbabwean students should cut their fees when they open for a new term on Tuesday because many parents could not afford them.

“I cannot divulge the figures at the moment because the recommendations are going to the (government) principals Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara on Monday. However, what we want are substantial cuts,” he was quoted as saying.

Coltart was not available for further comment. The Sunday Mail said the minister was reducing the fees because Zimbabwe had so far failed to get the huge financial aid it needs to repair a shattered economy with a 90 percent jobless rate.

The Zimbabwean government set school fees in state schools at between $20 and $280 a term two months ago, but many parents have failed to pay, citing low wages and high living costs.
“When the (school) fees were set in March, the assumption was that we would get balance of payments support (to) kick start the economy. But this has not materialised and parents are worse off than before,” Coltart said.

On Friday, Tsvangirai said the power-sharing administration his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had formed with Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party was bankrupt and unable to raise the current monthly salary of $100 it is paying its workers to the $454 being demanded as a minimum wage by unions.
Besides a crumbling infrastructure, mirrored in potholed roads and broken sewers in towns across the country, Zimbabwe’s once sound education system is also wasting away under the economic crisis.
The country’s top Zimbabwe University in Harare has been closed for close to a year now with broken toilets and without piped water.

State media reported on Sunday only 68 students out of 12,000 had fully paid their fees of about $300 when the college tried to reopen in March, and it was also now appealing for foreign assistance. Zimbabwe said last week it had secured $400 million in credit lines from African states to revive some of its ailing industries, many operating at below 20 percent of their capacity.

But analysts say Zimbabwe badly needs billions of dollars from Western donors, who are demanding broad economic and political reforms, including ending a new wave of farm invasions by Mugabe’s supporters, before they release any huge amounts.

Mugabe, 85, Zimbabwe’s ruler since independence from Britain in 1980, denies any blame for the southern African country’s crisis and says the economy has been sabotaged by “racist” enemies of his seizures of white farms for landless blacks.

Sunday Mail
By Morris Mkwate
3 May 2009

THE Government intends to substantially reduce this year’s second term tuition fees at State-run schools across the country to hedge parents from high education costs.

In an interview last Thursday, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, said his ministry took the decision after it became apparent that most parents could not afford the fees that Government set last term.

Mr Coltart said he would announce the new figures tomorrow after President Mugabe, Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara had considered the initiative. The second school term begins on Tuesday.

“I cannot divulge the figures at the moment because the recommendations are going to the three principals on Monday. However, what we want is a substantial cut,” he said.

Last term, the Government set tuition charges for its schools in foreign currency in line with the multi-currency transaction system, which was introduced in February this year.

Fees for primary schools in low-density and high-density areas were slated at US$150 and US$20 respectively while those for secondary schools in low-density suburbs ranged from US$200 to US$280.

Students attending secondary school in high-density areas were expected to pay between US$100 and US$180 while those in rural areas were to fork out between US$50 and US$80.

However, most parents could not raise the amounts in lump sums and could still not meet the charges even after authorities permitted them to stagger the payments.

Mr Coltart said a survey by the Education Advisory Board and meetings with school parent boards had corroborated that “a vast majority” of parents could not afford the fees.

He said the Cabinet Ministerial Economic Co-ordinating Committee subsequently met on Wednesday last week and resolved that the fees should be reviewed downwards.

If the fees were slashed, this would mean funds required for the daily running of the schools would be drawn from school development levies.

“When fees were set in March, the assumption was we would get balance of payments support to kickstart the economy. But this has not materialised; so parents are worse off than before,” he said.

“The basis of our original costing, which justified the fees, is subject to review. Since March, I have been inquiring on the cost of educational material and I believe that we can make some substantial cuts.

“The fees that will be announced on Monday (tomorrow) are an interim measure, which is designed to ensure more children are in school. We will revert to something substantive when we secure sufficient funds to support the schools.”

Meanwhile, fees for most private and mission schools are expected to remain unchanged, as only a few have applied to the ministry for upward reviews.

Newsnet
Friday 01 May 2009

The government and teachers’ unions have agreed to hold a second round meeting on Monday to discuss teachers’ salaries.

The government and teachers’ unions have agreed to hold a second round meeting on Monday to discuss teachers’ salaries.

This was revealed by the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, following a three hour meeting with teachers’ representatives in Harare yesterday.

He said they deferred the meeting to Monday to allow the donor community to participate and explore ways in which they can assist government to pay teachers.

The meeting was also attended by the acting Finance Minister, Mr Elton Mangoma who explained to the teachers union leaders the difficulties the government is facing and what is being is being done to address the issue.

Mr Mangoma has also agreed to review school fees saying the current ones are unaffordable.

Both ministers described yesterday’s meeting as constructive and similar sentiments were echoed by the Zimta Secretary-General, Mr Richard Gundani.

Mr Gundani said the government has agreed to look into issues raised like exempting teachers from paying school fees for their children.

The government has since urged civil servants who include teachers to be patient over salaries saying these will only improve once the economy starts ticking and the tax base expands correspondingly.

SW Radio Africa
By Alex Bell
01 May 2009

Government officials and teachers’ unions have agreed to meet again on Monday, in an effort to avert a possible strike by teachers at the start of the new school semester next week.

Schools are set to reopen on Tuesday and Monday’s meeting will see Education and Finance ministry officials trying to sway teachers away from the threatened mass action. Teachers are demanding, among other things, a significant salary increase of more than US$1000, saying they will not return to work until the demands are met. Leaders from the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) met with Education Minister Senator David Coltart on Thursday, after the deadline for the government to produce a better salary structure for teachers passed this week.

Senator Coltart has already indicated that the government does not have the funds to increase teachers’ wages, and called on acting Finance Minister Elton Mangoma to help explain the situation to teachers’ at Thursday’s meeting. The meeting was deferred to Monday, apparently to allow the donor community to participate in the talks and to explore ways in which they can assist the government in paying teachers. PTUZ President Takavafira Zhou explained on Friday that teachers understand the financial situation facing the Education Ministry, and said he was pleased there would be a chance to appeal to donors to assist in salary payments.

The government has called on the country’s civil service, who each receive a US$100 monthly allowance, to be patient over their meagre salaries until the country’s economy begins to stabilise. But with the economy completely dollarised and the local dollar being abandoned in favour of foreign currency, the US$100 payout has not been able to keep teachers and their families financially afloat. Zhou described the reality facing teachers, saying many have been forced into ‘moonlighting’ as menial workers for any extra money.

“It is so degrading for teachers to do this but they have been left no choice,” Zhou explained. “How else can they look after their families?”

The salary increase of more than US$1000 that is being demanded is highly unrealistic even compared to the rest of Africa, where teachers earn much less than this. Zhou argued that his union is aware that the demand is too high, and instead is pushing for a proposed ‘salary roadmap’ that will pave the way for significant increases in the future. He explained that teachers would be happy with a US$500 increase in the short term, but also said that a strike has not yet been ruled out.

It is being argued that ZIMTA, which is leading the strike threat and list of demands, is involved in trying to force the MDC out of the unity government. The ZANU PF friendly teachers’ association has never before taken such a strong stance against the government, despite earning a pittance for years under ZANU PF rule. The argument stands that by forcing such an unrealistic salary demand and by threatening the stability of the unity government with a teachers’ strike, ZIMTA is working with ZANU PF to force the MDC out of the coalition.

Meanwhile, salary concerns aside, Zimbabwe’s teachers continue to be victims of ongoing harassment and intimidation across the country. According to international rights group, Amnesty International, teachers have expressed serious concerns about their safety, as ZANU PF supporters are still threatening them with violence. Many teachers were targets of politically motivated attack during the 2008 presidential election period, and there are fears among the teaching community that they will still be vulnerable in future elections.

The Herald
1st May 2008

Harare — Government and teachers’ unions held a crisis meeting yesterday over salaries following a decision by teachers not to report for work when the second term begins next week.

A further round of talks will be held on Monday where donors are expected to join in the discussions.
Education, Arts, Sports and Culture Minister David Coltart and Acting Finance Minister Elton Mangoma, who is also Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, represented the Government while teachers were represented by the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe.

In an interview after the three-hour-long meeting, Minister Coltart described the talks as constructive.
He said they deferred the talks to next Monday to allow the donor community, who include Unicef and other co-operating partners, to participate and explore ways in which they could assist Government pay teachers.

“We had a constructive meeting with the trade unions of teachers today. There will be another meeting to be attended by Unicef and other representatives of the donor community where we hope they will enter into a discussion to pay incentives for teachers,” Minister Coltart said.

“I am going to chair the meeting and hope the donor community will commit itself in principle to pay their allowances. It was a very productive meeting that I had with them.”

Minister Coltart said no figures were discussed at yesterday’s meeting.

“Minister Mangoma explained to the teachers the difficulties the Government is facing and what is being done,” he said.

Contacted for comment, Zimta secretary-general Mr Richard Gundani also described the meeting as positive.

He said Government had agreed to look into issues they had raised like exempting teachers from paying school fees for their children.

Mr Gundani said they had also complained about bank charges on foreign currency accounts, which ranged between 10 and 15 percent.

Minister Mangoma said banks were in breach of an agreement with the Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe which stipulated that no commission would be levied on teachers’ accounts.

“The minister has also agreed to review school fees because the current ones are unaffordable. Teachers would be exempted from paying school fees for their children as a stop-gap measure,” he said.

“Government said at the moment they had no capacity to increase the US$100 monthly allowance and the only route was to engage the donor community.”

Zimta resolved at its annual congress in Bulawayo last weekend that teachers would not report for duty next week. The association demanded a review of the US$100 allowance, which they said was inadequate to meet basic requirements like rent and transport costs.

Government has urged civil servants to be patient over salaries, saying these would only improve once the economy starts ticking and the tax revenue base expands correspondingly.

Chronicle
1 May 2009
Entertainment Reporter

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe is inviting stakeholders and youths to participate in the official Culture Week launch on 18 May in Harare, an official has said.

This year’s celebration will be held under the theme “Culture and Youth”.

In an interview, Nicholas Moyo, NACZ assistant director for arts promotions and development, said the province was geared for celebrations adding that the province is set to be a hive of activity.

“Every year we pick a particular theme that guides our week, and preparations are going as planned, as everything is under control. We hold these celebrations on an annual provincial rotational basis, and this year we are in the capital city,” he said.

He said they chose the theme “Culture and Youth”, in recognition of the role that young people play in upholding diversity and promoting development.

“Young people are the window of hope for a united nation, they are the future leaders and hence it is our duty to enforce that they play a pivotal role in the society,” he said.

On the day of the event, various arts and cultural activities ranging from poetry, speeches, dances, drama, and music will be performed to mark the week.

“Culture week is observed by different artistes in a bid to preserve their traditions. It is mainly recognised by musicians and poets, who will be reciting suitable poems for the event.

“It is unfortunate that I cannot disclose the musicians and poets that are going to perform at the event, as we are yet to confirm with them and also them to confirm with us,” said Moyo.

A nation’s identity is seen through its people, the people are identified by their culture that is passed through generations by the youth. Youths are challenged to fight cultural imperialism and thereby celebrate who they are through arts and culture.

The guest of honour in this year’s celebrations is the Minister of Education, Sports, Art and Culture, David Coltart.

The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity by UNESCO in 2001 proclaimed 21 May as the World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Thus it nurtures diverse human capacities and values, in the process promoting national growth that fosters unity and national identity.

Zimbabwe Independent
May 01 2009

HARARE – As they marked the annual labour day holiday, teachers said on Friday their talks with the government to avert a nationwide strike over pay had not produced an agreement.

The education ministry “was not ready to offer anything” Thursday and a second meeting to include foreign donors and representatives of the United Nations children’s agency was scheduled Monday, said labor leader Raymond Majongwe.

The two main teachers organizations, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association and the Progressive Teachers Union led by Majongwe, have called the strike for May 5, the first day of the new school term. The two unions represent 60,000 members.

Last year, inflation had shrunk teachers’ pay so much that some were unable to afford bus fare to work. That and parents’ inability to pay school fees meant that fewer than 30 percent of pupils attended class in the last term of 2008.

School attendance improved after the new coalition government, helped by donors and the United Nations, began paying teachers $100 in February.

Unions now are demanding that figure be trebled or quadrupled, saying $100 is not enough for food, housing and transportation.

Education Minister David Coltart, a former opposition leader, told a conference of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association last week there was no money to increase the allowances without help from donors.

Sifiso Ndlovu, the association’s chief executive, said the coalition government formed in February between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, must give greater priority to funding education.

He said the collapse of basic education was depriving a generation of children of the right to go to school, with long-term consequences for the nation.

Last year, in the political turmoil surrounding disputed elections, teachers were hounded from their posts by Mugabe party militants and many schools were “incapacitated,” Ndlovu said.

The association’s membership dropped by nearly 20,000 as teachers abandoned their jobs.

“There has to be immediate relief. You cannot go on in and endless dark tunnel,” Ndlovu said.

Labor groups, including the teachers’ unions, staged meetings and rallies across the country Friday.

Unemployment in Zimbabwe is estimated by the United Nations at 95 percent in industry and formal sector jobs. Many unemployed have turned to selling vegetables and other goods on the street and in open air markets.

Markets and stores were open Friday despite the national holiday.

“Money is tight. I work for myself and I can’t miss a day,” said Jake Nyabadza, selling cell phone cards in downtown Harare.

Zimbabwe’s economic crisis began with a land redistribution campaign in 2000. The often-violent campaign disrupted the agriculture-based economy of what was once the region’s breadbasket.

But Mugabe blames Western sanctions for his country’s economic woes.

According to the United Nations, 83 percent of Zimbabweans live on less than $2 a day and 7 million, more than half the population, receive food aid.

The coalition government, sworn in Feb. 13, is ensnared in disputes over power sharing that have scared off donors and possible investors.

“The government hasn’t been able to reassure the donor community” that accountability and the rule of law were being restored, said Majongwe, the teachers’ leader.

“There are those who thrive on chaos who want to see this fail,” he said. – Sapa-AP

The Chronicle
1 May 2009
By Kennedy Mavhumashava

For the first time in about four years, Mr Farai Musengi (34) a diesel plant fitter at a Bulawayo firm got what he regards as a salary on Friday last week.

“Before that I would say I was doing national service,” said Mr Musengi.

“It was a struggle and like everyone else, I really do not know how I managed to pull through, especially last year. The salary I got on Friday is still low, compared with what one of my former workmates is earning in Mozambique, but at least you can buy some bread everyday and have a drink with friends over a weekend.”

Mr Musengi said life had become miserable for him and most workers, especially last year, when the economic crisis intensified, with inflation running into billions, against stagnant salaries.

His friend, Mr Charles Kasirayi (30), a boilermaker said: “No matter how your employer raised your salary, matching inflation was impossible unless the salary was paid out in foreign currency. So for us skilled guys, you had to do something on the side to get more income. Otherwise you would not survive.”

Both Messers Musengi and Kasirayi said as Zimbabwe marks Workers’ Day today, it is crucial for employers to reward employees like him who soldiered on through the years, when taking up official employment had become not only unfashionable but also untenable.

Thousands of workers across the country will converge on stadia in Harare, Bulawayo and other towns to mark Workers’ Day.

A few weeks ago, the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) proposed joint celebrations with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in the spirit of inclusivity, following the establishment of the inclusive Government by the country’s three main political parties in February.

However, the latter rejected the overture, meaning that both organisations would stage separate Workers’ Day celebrations.

The ZFTU will hold its celebrations at the City Sports Centre in Harare, while the ZCTU will hold its commemorations at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield in the capital.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to be the guest of honour at the Gwanzura celebration, which is the ZCTU’s main commemoration. The Minister of Labour and Social Services, Paurina Gwanyanya will also address the gathering at Gwanzura Stadium.

ZCTU will mark Workers’ Day under the theme “It May be Dawn, Workers’ Intensify the Struggle.”
The theme seeks to capture the renewed hope that has been ignited by the formation of the power-sharing Government.

The political tensions that marked relations between political parties have markedly eased, while the economy is showing signs of improvement after the Government’s dollarisation policy, announced in January, shortly before the new administration took office.

Prices of various products and services have not only stabilised, but also fallen, giving workers some respite.

But the first signs of economic recovery started to show around October last year, when the Government allowed selected businesses to sell their products and services in foreign exchange. Goods started resurfacing on shelves, at more stable prices, but the challenge was that only a few workers were earning salaries in foreign currency, except a few whose employers had to secure special approval from the Reserve Bank.

When the then acting Minister of Finance, Senator Patrick Chinamasa, announced the major policy turn of dollarising the entire economy the improvements were further enhanced.

But while a section of the local workforce is seeing humble improvements in their lives, civil servants, who constitute the majority of formal employees in the country are still struggling.

In January, the Government started paying them US$100 in allowances each, but they are demanding more.

Teachers, for instance, have threatened to go on strike again this year if the Government fails to improve their salaries.

However, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, this week announced that the Government was working on an improved package for teachers, a development that could influence the educators to give dialogue another chance before withdrawing their labour.
Although there have been some gains in Zimbabwe regarding the welfare of workers, the global labour body, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said in a report issued last October income disparities between poorer and richer households had grown across the world.

The report said despite strong economic growth that produced millions of new jobs since the early 1990s, income inequality has grown dramatically in most regions of the world. It is feared that the inequality will further increase due to the current global financial crisis.

The report, entitled World of Work Report 2008: Income inequalities in the age of financial globalisation, notes that a major share of the cost of the financial and economic crisis will be borne by hundreds of millions of people who have not shared in the benefits of recent growth.

“This report shows conclusively that the gap between richer and poorer households widened since the 1990s,” said Mr Raymond Torres, lead author of the report.

“This reflects the impact of financial globalisation and a weaker ability of domestic policies to enhance the income position of the middle class and low-income groups. The present global financial crisis is bound to make matters worse unless long-term structural reforms are adopted.”

The ILO report further notes that as global employment rose by 30 percent between the early 1990s and 2007, the income gap between richer and poorer households widened significantly at the same time.

The obtaining global economic slowdown is affecting low-income groups disproportionately.
ZCTU president Mr Lovemore Matombo said Workers’ Day is a big day for employees in the country and elsewhere around the globe, as it gives them the platform to collectively assess their effort, in relation to the rewards they get in salaries and working conditions.

He said the general standard of living of most workers in the country has improved, compared to the situation obtaining in previous years, particularly last year. He however pointed out that salaries were still way below the poverty datum line, quoted at US$454 per month.

He castigated the business sector, which he said continues to charge unrealistic prices for some products and services, especially furniture items and clothing, among others. This, he said tends to negate any salary increases workers get.

“The standard of life of workers has improved dramatically,” he said.

“That relates to the retail sector where most basic commodities are available unlike last year when you could not find salt, sugar or any basic commodity you need. Furthermore, it was very difficult last year, for workers to access their wages from banks. Even if they did access their money, it was not enough to buy anything. As ZCTU, we note that although the US$100 paid to most workers is still little, at least US$20 can buy a few of their household requirements.”

The Associated Press
1st May 2009
By ANGUS SHAW

(AP) — HARARE, Zimbabwe – As they marked the annual labor day holiday, teachers said Friday their talks with the government to avert a nationwide strike over pay had not produced an agreement.
The education ministry “was not ready to offer anything” Thursday and a second meeting to include foreign donors and representatives of the United Nations children’s agency was scheduled Monday, said labor leader Raymond Majongwe.

The two main teachers organizations, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association and the Progressive Teachers Union led by Majongwe, have called the strike for May 5, the first day of the new school term. The two unions represent 60,000 members.

Last year, inflation had shrunk teachers’ pay so much that some were unable to afford bus fare to work. That and parents’ inability to pay school fees meant that fewer than 30 percent of pupils attended class in the last term of 2008.

School attendance improved after the new coalition government, helped by donors and the United Nations, began paying teachers $100 in February.

Unions now are demanding that figure be trebled or quadrupled, saying $100 is not enough for food, housing and transportation.

Education Minister David Coltart, a former opposition leader, told a conference of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association last week there was no money to increase the allowances without help from donors.

Sifiso Ndlovu, the association’s chief executive, said the coalition government formed in February between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, must give greater priority to funding education.

He said the collapse of basic education was depriving a generation of children of the right to go to school, with long-term consequences for the nation.

Last year, in the political turmoil surrounding disputed elections, teachers were hounded from their posts by Mugabe party militants and many schools were “incapacitated,” Ndlovu said.

The association’s membership dropped by nearly 20,000 as teachers abandoned their jobs.

“There has to be immediate relief. You cannot go on in and endless dark tunnel,” Ndlovu said.
Labor groups, including the teachers’ unions, staged meetings and rallies across the country Friday.