Zimbabwe battles to restore basic education

http://www.zicora.com/
12th March 2010

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, David Coltart has said the main challenge his ministry was facing was restoring basic education for all children, a position that once existed in the 1980s.

Minister David Coltart said although the county’s education was improving he hoped the sector would revert to the 1980s era where the quality of education was admirable. The minister said he often joked in public and in private that while he has had disagreements with President Robert Mugabe,
there was one item they both agreed on.

He said it was how during the first decade after acquiring Independence, the Government made great strides by developing a sound education system, which was arguably one of the best in the world.

“Our education was one of the first to grow in Africa and arguably one of the best in the world. It was good for Zimbabweans, as it didn’t remain a preserve to be looked at later but was developed so that everyone could enjoy its benefits regardless of creed, race or status. Our country had one
of the leading literacy rates then,” he said.

However, the minister said tragically that trend dropped as the country failed to allocate sufficient resources needed for the sector.”Education needs a lot of funding and we have not been allocating it the needed funds,” he said.

The minister said the ministry was looking beyond the Education Transition Fund, which aimed at restoring acceptable levels of textbooks in all primary schools, as the books were soon to be distributed. He said the focus was on motivating teachers and learners.

“The important ingredients in producing quality education is having highly motivated teachers,” he said. Minister Coltart said the country had highly qualified staff but they were struggling to show themselves due to poor remuneration.

“There is no quick solution to that as we need the economy to pick up. What I am doing as minister is building a good relationship with the teachers.

Next week, the respective trade unions and I will attend a workshop in Eastern highlands, sponsored by the World Bank,” he said.

He said despite teachers concerns and with limited resources available, it was important to have a good working relationship with teachers. The minister said parents and teachers had the same worries that led to the high levels of stress.

“We have to show respect and kindness to each other, both parents and teachers by so doing we can reduce the high levels of stress we have as a nation,” he said.