Fragile Signs of Hope Emerging in the Gloom of Mugabe’s Rule

New York Times By CELIA W. DUGGER Published: March 19, 2009 HARARE, Zimbabwe — On his first day as education minister in a government so broke that most schools were closed and millions of children idle, David Coltart said he got a startling invitation. “Come and get your brand-new white Mercedes,” an official told Mr.

Zimbabwe can’t guarantee teachers’ pay

UPI 19 March 2009 HARARE, Zimbabwe, March 19 (UPI) — Zimbabwe cannot guarantee teachers will be paid this month, the new government’s education minister said, triggering a call for another teachers strike. “While we are very concerned with the genuine demands of the teachers, right now I cannot promise anything in terms of salaries,” David

Teachers Threaten Fresh Strike In May

Business Weekly 19 March 2009 Zimbabwe teacher unions have warned the new government that their members will not be reporting for duty in May if they do not get their salaries in foreign currency. So far the teachers are just receiving the USd 100 allowance per civil servant while their Zimdollar salary component was not

Coltart appoints Education advisory board

New Zimbabwe.Com 19 March 2009 THE Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart on Wednesday appointed the new National Education Advisory Board which will advise the minister on ways to improve primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe. Coltart said: “I have consulted widely before appointing the group of ‘grey-hairs’ gathered here today.

Coltart appeals for teachers’ patriotism

Zimbabwe Times By Our Correspondent 18 March 2009 HARARE – Education, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Senator David Coltart says government will not be able to fulfil growing demands by teachers who are demanding to be paid salaries of up to $US1 500. Coltart pleaded with teachers to “call on their sense of patriotism” and

Teachers threaten strike unless govt tops up US$100 allowances

Zimonline By Patricia Mpofu Tuesday 17 March 2009 HARARE – Zimbabwe’s teachers have threatened a fresh work boycott unless the country’s new government agrees to pay them more than the US$100 allowance paid to every civil servant last month. Officials from the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) –

Susan Tsvangirai would be pleased

The Times UK By Georgina Godwin Sunday, 15 MARCH 2009 Susan Tsvangirai would have been surprised by the impact her death has had on this country. The unifying effect and the sense of hope to come out of this awful tragedy would, I am sure, have pleased her. In Zimbabwe, when someone dies a mourning

Minister Coltart, please rescue parents

Sunday Mail Consumer Forum By Garikai Mazara 15 March 2009 SCHOOL fees, school fees, school fees . . . The topic that is refusing to go away and go away it will not until some semblance of order returns to the education system. Most parents, fearing for the victimisation of their children in class and

Arts Underfunded, Poorly Marketed — Senator Coltart

The Standard BY GEORGE MADEGA 15 March 2009 EDUCATION, Sport Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart says one of his priorities will be to revive the country’s flagging arts sector. Coltart who appreciates contemporary art and enjoys listening to music said he wanted to “depoliticize” the arts sector and mobilise more funding institutions such as

Security Chiefs Boycott Tsvangirai Funeral

Zimbabwe Independent By Constantine Chimakure 14 March 2009 Harare — SECURITY service chiefs were this week conspicuous by their absence at the funeral of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s wife, Susan, heightening fears that they remain opposed to the premier and the inclusive government. The absence of army, airforce, police or prisons bosses from the funeral