SA Times
Moses Mudzwiti
August 14, 2009
ZIMBABWE Education Minister David Coltart said yesterday that poor villagers could continue to pay school fees with goats, chickens and other animals.
He was quizzed in Parliament on the government’s position on the acceptability of schools demanding fees in cash and kind.
Coltart said there was nothing wrong with such a system, provided parents agreed to it with school authorities.
He said his department needed US95-million to run smoothly, but the government had no money.
Zimbabwe generates only US70-million a month from duties and taxes.
Coltart said the money was essential if important school examinations were to be written on time and the results released on time.
Teachers have threatened strike action if their salaries are not improved.
Doctors and nurses at most hospitals are on strike and there is no likelihood of a return to work soon.