The Herald
1 March 2013
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart has come under fire from teachers for barring them from participating in the referendum set for March 16. Teachers yesterday described Minister Coltart as arrogant and insensitive to the plight of the restive educators.
Minister Coltart said teachers should not participate in the referendum as polling officers because that would disturb the learning process as the educators would leave classes for some days.
He argued that Government should look for manpower from other civil service departments adding that his ministry would present its request to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission soon.
The referendum will be held on a Saturday and teachers usually constitute the bulk of civil servants that are used as polling officers during voting processes.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said participating in national events was a privilege for civil servants as they were paid extra allowances.
He said teachers would participate in the referendum to augment their low income. “Minister Coltart should not make such a sweeping statement because that extra dollar that comes our way from participating in that process counts,†he said.
“No one, including Coltart, should take away that privilege and moreover these should be personal decisions that have got nothing to do with the administrator.
“For him to bar us sounds unfair and most people might have enrolled or have indicated that they will take part in the process and no one should refuse them that opportunity.â€
The lowest paid teacher is getting US$296 in a country the poverty datum line is over US$600.
Teachers Union of Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Manuel Nyawo said Minister Coltart wanted teachers to continue suffering.
“He should be pushing to ensure we get a decent salaries instead of being insensitive,†he said.
“His message is that teachers should continue suffering and he is missing a point because teachers should not remain in those classes on empty stomachs.â€
Minister Coltart said the week the referendum would never improve the country’s pass rates, which dropped significantly this year.
“What we need is food on the table and this will be the time to get something on the referendum,†he said.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said teachers should be allowed to make independence decisions.
“This is a national event and although he is making his suggestions as an administrator he should know that teachers are an important group when it comes to such events,†Mr Majongwe said.