Zimbabwe Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture
27 January 2012
Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart capitalized on his time while hosting the African Brains ICT For Education Summit 2012 to visit Chinotimba Primary School, where he presented to the headmaster materials for Early Childhood Development and Mosi-oa-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls. Senator Coltart was accompanied by representatives from Intel, who, during his visit and presentation, donated desktop computers among boxes of educational supplies.
While speaking to teachers, parents and students at Mosi Oa Tunya secondary school, Senator Coltart took time to discuss the ongoing public service strike, notably the first serious work stoppage by government employees since the inclusive government came to power three years ago.
“I’m saddened that today while here in Victoria Falls, I find the schools are closed, albeit temporarily. I am very sympathetic to the plight of our teachers and especially our children who are ultimately affected by the strike.
The reality of the situation is that there is no easy solution. When President Mugabe was a teacher years ago, the title had respect and everyone aspired to earn it. Unfortunately as a nation, we have today lost that respect. As I look down these empty halls, it is disheartening to think about how our ongoing work is being hampered, as is the educational process for the greatest casualty in all of this – our pupils.
We as a Ministry have made great strides — exam papers were marked with scores here at Mosi Oa Tunya indicating a grade increase of 20%. Secondary school textbooks are being delivered countrywide and every single child from forms one through four will have his or her own textbook. However, as I’ve said before, all of that means little when those who foster the talent of tomorrow are not in their classroom at work.â€
Teachers, like other civil servants, are employed by the Public Service Commission, which falls under the ministry of Public Service. The Ministry of Public Service has offered public workers a $240 million package that would mean an average salary increase of $87 a month for the sector’s 230,000 employees.
The African Brains ICT For Education Summit 2012 at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls is an unprecedented forum in terms of both scope and opportunity, based around dedicated pre-scheduled meetings between the private sector, ministers and educationalists from 18 Southern African countries. The event was held under the patronage of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Education, Sports, Art and Culture.
Though Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZTA) chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu, yesterday insisted the public service strike was still on, Zimbabweans have historically demonstrated a dedication to education for their children – as he concluded his remarks this afternoon, Senator Coltart called for an efficient resolution of the strike in order to perpetuate and spotlight this commitment.