Who benefits from denouncing UNICEF text books under Education Transition Fund?

Sokwanele

14 April 2012

Imagine if the donor community had not joined hands and mobilised textbooks to the country’s primary and secondary schools, where would education be now? The voices that denounced Coltart are the very same people who brought our schools to a standstill in 2008. Once again these same people are deflecting blame, attempting to smear the name of the Minister who has to all intents and purpose actually succeeded in his sector, despite the chronic state education was in when he took over as Minister of Education.

Talk to any parent and yes, there are many problems which are affecting the standard of education in Zimbabwe, and yes we have lost our position as a leading light in education in Africa, but at least schools are open, the children have books, teachers are coming to work.

Zanu PF is desperate, the misguided and unthankful elements discrediting a gesture which every sane person is cherishing.

I wonder if such people have a heart, or if they really care for the people whose votes they want. I wonder if the population understands that a vote for the detractors of educational progress will just prolong their capacity for exploitation.

I was disappointed, but not surprised, when I recently read an article in the state daily newspaper denouncing the donation by UNICEF of 22 million text books which were distributed to all secondary and primary schools throughout the country. The article was blatant political guttersniping, and meant to denounce not the initiative but the man behind the revival of the country’s dilapidated education sector Senator David Coltart. Do they really think Coltart is working for his own benefit? No, it is our children he is working for.

It is so typical of Zanu PF not to do their homework as well as an expose their own ignorance. The Gokwe MP, Dorothy Mangami (Zanu-PF) attempted to gain political mileage, but has emerged with not one egg on her face, but a whole omelette! She obviously does not understand international tender laws, and she also exposed that as usual, Zanu wants the world to throw money at them for “humanitarian” purposes and then have control over the same funds. Cde Mangami, the world is not stupid, donors know what happens to their hard earned money when it is handed over to the likes of you.

The state wanted the printing of the 22 million books done here in Zimbabwe by companies they control so that they can get the usual get some kickbacks. What is even more shocking is that Chitungwiza North MP Mr Fidelis Mhashu (MDC-T) jumped into the fray and seconded the motion against Coltart, accusing him that “the tender bordered on “corruption as Longman Zimbabwe was merely used as a front for Longman International” (United Kingdom) ahead of local firms like Zimbabwe Publishing House, Mambo Press and College Press among others.”

To me there is every reason for Coltart to sue the publishers of the story because it was not only inaccurate but it was a poor attempt at character assassination.

Speaking to SW Radio this came to light:

Coltart said the report “gives the impression it was Zimbabwean government money subject to Zimbabwe government tender procedures which it was not. It was all donor money donated by Western governments and other organisations to the Education Transition Fund.”

Coltart said the textbooks were funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and that “UNICEF used its own tender procedures to go out and negotiate the contracts for the production of the books. None of us in government were involved in the tender process in anyway whatsoever.”

Partners in the country’s Education Transition Fund have luckily ignored the inane accusations levelled at them via its criticism of Coltart and were disappointed with the story, and have now extended further generous funding for our nation’s children. Fortunately the scavengers in government will not be able to get their greedy paws on the fund.

“Government and its development partners yesterday signed a U$38 million agreement under the Education Transition Fund Phase II. The funds, provided by UKAid, are expected to enhance and improve governance systems and training of teachers.”

Unicef, working with the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, will manage the fund for the next four years. The agreement comes at a time Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart yesterday said his ministry had engaged the Ministry of Home Affairs to curb illegal selling of textbooks donated to Government.

It is high time the big wigs in government understood the need for donor support and showed true appreciation of the massive funds being directed into this country, whether it be food aid, educational support or assistance to our health care delivery system. It is time to stop cheap politicking.