ZBC
www.gta.gov.zw
8 September 2010
SEVERAL schools in Harare yesterday barred pupils who have not paid third term fees and levies from attending classes.
The situation, however, is particularly dire in rural areas where schools reportedly face closure as more than 25 000 temporary teachers have not resumed work following a Treasury directive to terminate their contracts.
At least 60 percent of teachers in rural areas are untrained and their contracts of employment expire at the end of each term.
These are renewed at the beginning of the next term at provincial level.
New Ziana yesterday reported that district and provincial education directors had informed temporary teachers to wait until the Public Service Commission clarified their status with Treasury.
Zimbabwe needs about 120 000 teachers for schools to operate at 100 percent capacity.
Last term, there were about 90 000 teachers — including those on temporary contracts — on the Ministry of Education’s books.
The decision to bar 25 000 from working means Zimbabwe is operating with just over half of the required teachers.
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said: “About 25 000 teachers, mostly from rural communities, are affected by the Treasury ruling.
“Government should do something because teachers are key to economic recovery.”
According to Zimta, the teacher to pupil ratio currently stands at 1:40.
“With the disengagement of temporary teachers, we are moving towards a ratio of 1:70,” Mr Ndlovu said.
Public Service Deputy Minister Andrew Langa confirmed that temporary teachers had not been re-engaged this term.
“Treasury should have at least consulted stakeholders in the education sector.
“Obviously, this will cripple our education sector. As a Member of the House of Assembly in a rural constituency, I am really concerned,” he said.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said the matter had been discussed in Cabinet.
“The freeze was intended to prevent an increase of staff because Government cannot pay the existing ones, but this has created an anomaly.
“I have met the Ministers of Finance and Public Service and the matter will be addressed as quickly as possible,” he said.
Minister Coltart urged the affected teachers to report for work to prevent disruption of lessons in public schools.
In Harare, most schools started turning away pupils in the morning.
Others gave parents and guardians until today or the end of the week to pay their dues.
Pupils at Allan Wilson, Harare Girls High and Morgan High, Hatfield and Widdecombe primary schools were denied access to classes if they did not produce receipts confirming payment of fees.
At Allan Wilson and Morgan high schools, the fees and levies are pegged at US$120 and US$122 respectively.
Boarders at Allan Wilson are paying US$420 a term.
The school was, however, accepting half the fees for one to enter the premises.
A teacher at Prince Edward High School said: “The pupils are not really being turned away, that may begin tomorrow (today).
“Today parents were being given the chance to make last-minute payments.”
However, several pupils said they had been denied entry to classes while others interviewed in the city centre during lesson time, said they had been turned away.
Pupils at Glen View 2 Primary School and Glen View High 1 were similarly affected.
A notice stuck at the entrance to Highfield 2
High School advised parents to pay school fees by the close of business yesterday.
Parents and guardians with children at Vangira Primary School in the same suburb were given until Friday to do so.
Pupils said no learning took place yesterday.
Most schools in the high-density suburbs are charging US$30 inclusive of fees and levies.
Minister Coltart reiterated that children should not be turned away.
“Parents or guardians are advised to report the matter to their district or regional education offices,” he said.
Parents accused school development associations of insensitivity.
“We are not blaming the headmasters but the SDAs.
“They do not have the parents and the pupils at heart.
“We are earning very little and the council is sending us huge bills.
“Where do they expect us to get the money? They should allow us to pay the fees in instalments,” said Mr Tshuma, whose child goes to Glen View 2 Primary School.
Civil servant Mr Rueben Mulangeni expressed dismay over the schools decision.
“The little we get is gobbled by rentals and food. Schools should not chase away our children.
“We should agree on a way forward that benefits children and schools,” he suggested.
Mrs Tendai Magadzire, whose daughter is a pupil at Girls High School, added: “The Government does not allow schools to chase away students who have not paid fees and levies.
“They should allow us to make arrangements to pay in instalments.”
There are worries that pupils writing public exams in November will be negatively affected by the current stand-off between schools and parents.