The Chronicle

11 September 2012

Education is a basic right and every effort must be made to ensure every boy and girl is in school. This helps the country groom enlightened citizens. While not all children are gifted academically, there is a certain level of education, secondary education, that every child should attain. This will help the child even if they are to go for vocational training or pursue a career in sports, arts or music. They will at least have a basic education to help them in their fields while the academically gifted ones pursue their own dreams up to university level.

On Monday there were disturbing reports that some schools are demanding that parents should pay full fees and levies before their children could be admitted into class.

This left some parents with children at boarding schools desperate and being forced to run around looking for money after their children had been barred from boarding school buses to take them to their schools.
Previously parents who could not pay the fees and levies in one instalment were agreeing on payment plans with school authorities.

The payment plans allowed the parents to pay the fees in instalments, which was an understandable arrangement for those parents facing difficulties raising the fees and levies at once or those with more than one child in school. Now if the schools demand that everything be paid upfront before a child is allowed into class, they are making life difficult for parents and guardians.

The Zimbabwean economy, although it has slightly recovered from a decade-long illegal economic embargo imposed by the West, is still wobbling. Most companies are still operating at way below their normal capacities and a good number of parents or guardians are employed by these struggling businesses. In Bulawayo a lot of companies have closed, some are still closing while others have relocated to Harare and other parts of the country. This has left thousands of parents and guardians jobless.

The retrenched workers are eking out a living in the informal sector or relying on rentals for those who were fortunate to acquire houses. Some of the parents are civil servants who are paid salaries below the poverty datum line. We feel it is unfair on the part of the schools to expect parents faced with this kind of scenario to pay fees and levies in one instalment.

We know some parents might owe more than one term’s fees and levies. But there are those parents with good track records and these should be allowed to continue paying in instalments. Fine we understand schools need money for their operations and other related costs as pointed out by the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart.

However, Minister Coltart acknowledges that it is a problem when the schools start demanding the full payment upfront, which is exactly our argument.

“You would find that schools require funds to operate and because of the environment we are in, their only source of money are parents. The problem is when they start demanding full payment upfront which would infringe on the right of the child to access education,” Minister Coltart said. We urge schools to be compassionate and give a chance to those parents with proven track records. In the same vein we also urge parents to pay up their dues because schools need the money for their operations.

Minister Coltart’s advice for school authorities to open up and for parents to negotiate to avoid children being sent home is the route to take. “Schools cannot be allowed to collapse but at the same time we would want to urge parents to make education a priority and pay fees on time or make payment plans with the schools,” the Minister aptly put it.

The Herald

By Grace Chingoma

10 September 2012

Zimbabwe registered one of their biggest victories at Rufaro in the African Cup of Nations soccer qualifiers in a long time when they beat Angola 3-1 yester­day and what a befitting occasion it was, as our “Golden Girl” Kirsty Coventry also cheered the boys from the terraces. Coventry was part of the invited guests in the VVIP tribune, which also included the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, and the Zimbabwean swimming icon was in the company of her boyfriend Tyrone Seward, who she engaged last month.

After the match, Coventry met the Warriors and members of their technical department as she congratulated them for a job well-done against the Angolans.

She also took time to pose for pictures with Warriors skipper Tapuwa Kapini and striker Khama Billiat.

Watching her first live soccer match, Coventry was excited with the sights and sounds of Rufaro as the fans cheered the team which scored three goals past 2006 World Cup finalists Angola.

“They (the Warriors) played so well . . . they played such a great game, very much sync with each other which I think is very important for soccer. And I was so proud to be able to watch them. They were fighting in the first half and were very nervous in the second half.
“They are great team and they will qualify (for the 2013 Nations Cup finals in South Africa). I have watched them on TV but I have never been able to come to a match so I am very excited and hon­oured that I was able to come and watch them. There were lots of people and it was so exciting,” Coventry said.

The talented swimmer said she does­n’t know much about football and does not even support any team locally or internationally. “I never really watched football when growing up and never supported a soccer team but I think after today the Warriors have made me their biggest fan. I have watched a little bit of soccer and my brother-in-law loves Manchester United so I will think about it . . . l am loyal to my family and maybe will have to support that (Manchester United).

“I follow the clubs in the local Premier League in the newspapers so it has really been nice to be able to be here (at Rufaro) and get to meet some of the players that I always hear or read about in the newspa­pers,” Coventry said. Coventry, who is enjoying a rest after participating at the recent London 2012 Olympics, says she will wave goodbye to the sport which made her famous by visiting local schools. I am just taking a rest and in the next two weeks I’m hoping to drive around Zimbabwe and visit some of the schools. I am taking the time and oppor­tunity that I have now. Driving, saying hello and thanking them for the support. I have not had the time since I came back from the Olympics,” she said.

And as wedding bells toll, Coventry says she is currently enjoying her time with her boyfriend Seward before they walk down the aisle.
“We are not too sure when is the wed­ding. We haven’t decided yet. We are tak­ing the next few months figuring out when we want to get married.

The Chronicle

10 September 2012

SCHOOLS have demanded that parents should pay full fees and levies before their children could be admitted into class.

Schools are opening today for the third term.

This has left some parents with children at boarding schools literally running around looking for money after their children were barred from boarding school buses.

Parents said schools were demanding that they pay the full fees and those who had not paid could not board school buses, which were loading children at different points in Bulawayo.

Responding to concerns raised by parents with children attending school at Matopo High School in Matobo, Sacred Heart in Esigodini and David Livingstone in Ntabazinduna that schools were demanding 100 percent payment of fees upfront, a Chronicle news crew visited different pick up points in Bulawayo where some pupils were left stranded.

At Lobengula Street, popularly known as Hamara, a number of pupils from Matopo High School were stranded after they were stopped from boarding the buses.

Their parents said they received letters from the school advising them of the development.

“Surely we wonder how they think we would be able to raise all that money at once. It is not that we do not want to pay but all we are saying is can we pay in instalments. We feel the schools should allow us to make payment plans than to bar children from going to school,” said a parent with a child who learns at Matopo High School.

A document shown to Chronicle and sent by authorities stated that no pupil would be allowed into class unless they paid fees in full.

Pupils pay $420 school fees and levy per term.

Teachers were vetting pupils before they boarded buses and those with outstanding fees or without receipts were being denied entry.

A pupil from the school almost shed tears when her luggage was offloaded from the bus because her mother had not arrived to pay the outstanding fees. She said she had paid $270 and owed the school $150 for this term.

Some parents who had paid bus fare at the school offices at Matopo Book Centre later went to re-claim it after their children failed to go to school.

“This is not fair, I am going to get my transport money back, because now I have to look for the remainder of the fees. My child owes $50 but these teachers are being arrogant. I think there is a need for us to talk about this when we go for meetings. I think we should mobilise ourselves as parents and go to the meetings to challenge this,” said a parent.

A pupil from Cyrene High School in Figtree was stopped from boarding the bus because he had forgotten receipts at home.

“I fully paid fees and my teachers have instructed me to go back home and collect the invoices which could have been sent to the school before the end of the day,” said the pupil who preferred anonymity.

A group of Form Four pupils from David Livingstone said they were sent back home after finishing holiday lessons as the school authorities told them they could not continue in class before paying this term’s fees in full.

Some schools are reportedly demanding that parents clear last term fees before they pay full amounts for this term.

“We received SMSes from the school recently that our children should not bother going to school if they have not paid full amounts. Our fear now is that our children would be removed from the register because schools are now against a child missing lessons for five consecutive days,” said a parent whose child is doing Grade Four at Milton Junior in Bulawayo.

An official from Maranatha Adventist High School in Nketa confirmed that they had sent text messages advising parents of the latest developments.

“Pupils will not be allowed into class. We sent SMSes to parents that they should get clearance on last term fees and part of payment for this term’s fees,” said the official.

Contacted for comment, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart said there was no specific Government policy on the individual schools because some were private.

“Policies vary between schools and most of the schools doing that are privately owned boarding schools and Government’s interference is limited. You would find that schools require funds to operate and because of the environment we are in, their only source of money are parents. The problem is when they start demanding full payment upfront which would infringe on the right of the child to access education,” said Minister Coltart.

He contended there was no easy solution to the issue, but said Government was trying to come up with measures to make sure schools do not overcharge parents.

“The $5 million that was allocated to the ministry by Treasury to cover non-salary expenses is too little and as long as that situation remains there is going to be a problem. Schools cannot be allowed to collapse but at the same time we would want to urge parents to make education a priority and pay fees on time or make payment plans with the schools,” said Minister Coltart.

He also appealed to school authorities to open up for parents to negotiate to avoid children being sent home.

The Chronicle

9 September 2012

Zimbabwe registered their biggest victory at Rufaro in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in a long time, when they beat Angola 3-1 and what a befitting occasion it was, as our golden girl Kirsty Coventry also cheered the boys from the terraces.

The swimming icon was one of the guests in the VVIP tribune, who also included Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart.

Coventry was in the company of her boyfriend Tyrone Seward to whom she got engaged last month.

After the match, the Olympic medallist met the Warriors and the technical bench and had a chat as she congratulated the boys and posed for pictures with skipper Tapuwa Kapini and Khama Billiat.

Watching her first live soccer match, Coventry was excited by the sights and sounds of Rufaro as the fans cheered the team which scored three goals past 2006 World Cup finalists Angola.

“They played so well and it was such a great game. They played as a team which I think is very important for soccer.

“I was so proud to be able to watch them. They were in fighting first half and very nervous in the second half.

“I am confident that they are a great team and they will qualify. I have watched them on TV but I have never been able to come to a match so I am very excited and honoured that I was able to come and watch them.

“There were lots of people and it was so exciting,” said Coventry.

The swimmer said she doesn’t know much about soccer and does not support any team locally or internationally.

“I never really supported a soccer team growing up, but I think after today the Warriors have made me their biggest fan.

“I have watched little bit of soccer and my brother-in-law loves Manchester United so I will think about it. I am loyal to my family so maybe I will have to support that.

“I follow the clubs in the Premier League through the newspaper so it has really been nice to be able to be here and get to meet some of the players that I always read about in the newspaper,” she said.

Coventry, who is enjoying a rest after participating at the recent London 2012 Olympics, says she will wave goodbye to the sport which made her famous by visiting schools.

“I am just taking a rest and in the next two weeks hoping to drive around Zimbabwe and visit some of the schools.

“I am taking the time and opportunity that I have now. Driving, saying hello and thank them for the support. I have not had the time since I came back from the Olympics,” she said.

Asked about her wedding plans, Coventry said she was enjoying time with her boyfriend before they walk down the aisle.

We are not too sure when the wedding is, we haven’t decided yet, we are taking the next few months figuring out when we want to get married.

“But at the moment we are just enjoying taking time enjoying being engaged,” said Coventry.

Daily News

By Austin Karonga

6 September 2012

HARARE – Zimbabwe top-order batsman Sean Williams says he regrets quitting the national side and has set his sights on reviving his international career.

The gifted 25-year-old left-hander walked out on the team after last year’s Cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent in protest over late and non-payment of match fees.

Williams returned home from the World Cup early after he fractured his right thumb and was replaced by Vusi Sibanda.

With local first-class sides keen to sign him for the domestic league, Williams chose to play hockey and amateur cricket in South Africa.

However, the born-and-bred Bulawayo batsman, who is also a useful left-arm spin bowler, has settled for a earn-as-you-play contract with his home franchise Matabeleland Tuskers ahead of the upcoming 2012-13 domestic season.

“It’s quite a tough situation that I got myself into, I got involved in some politics that I regret getting myself involved in. I didn’t get paid on time and naturally I was disappointed to the extent that I said that I would never play cricket for my country again,” Williams told the Daily News yesterday.

“I feel I have let down kids in Zimbabwe who may have looked up to me as a role model and I would want to find an opportunity to make it up for them and show them what it feels to represent your country.”

Williams revealed he has been paid part of his outstanding dues by ZC.

“I got a quarter of my payment after the World Cup and recently got paid a bit and the remainder will be paid out over the next two months, according to the accounts officials at ZC.

“At the moment, I just want to play domestic cricket for Matabeleland Tuskers and obviously my long-term goal is to be re-admitted into the national team. I’m also playing national team hockey of which I have just made it into the side because last year the team wasn’t that strong.”

Williams comes from a well-known hockey family in Bulawayo.

His father, Colin “Porge” Williams, is a former Zimbabwe men’s hockey coach while his step-mother Pat McKillop was a member of the famous Golden Girls team which sensationally won gold for Zimbabwe at the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980. Step-brother Michael McKillop captained Zimbabwe’s men hockey side.

Meanwhile, Sports minister David Coltart, who had a chat with Williams on Tuesday, believes the left-hander will be valuable addition to the team.

“I think Zimbabwe can benefit immensely from his skills and diversity being a left-handed batsman, good fielder and left-arm spinner,” Coltart said.

“As the minister responsible for sport, let me categorically state that our sportspersons should get paid their dues regardless of what discipline they play because they are professionals and as such their livelihood depends on the sport.

“We had a meeting with Zifa last week and some of the key issues that came up included maximising on the best athletes the country has, and I am glad that Knowledge Musona is back. With him being part of the team, I have the confidence that the Warriors will do well against Angola.”

New Zimbabwe

2 September 

Zimbabwe’s wheelchair tennis ace Nyasha Mharakurwa eased into the second round at the London Paralympics Games on Saturday with a 6-4; 6-3 victory over Switzerland’s Yann Avanthey.

The 29-year-old, playing at his first Paralympic Games, will face number two seed Shingo Kunieda of Japan in the second round later Sunday.

With the tickets for the games sold out, Mharakurwa has been interacting with Zimbabweans on Twitter and Facebook where he has found himself notable supporters including Sports Minister David Coltart and Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Senegal Trudy Stevenson.

After his routine victory over Avanthey on Saturday evening, Coltart wrote on his wall: “Kunieda may be world number 2 Nyasha, but you have the whole of Zimbabwe rooting for you. Good luck – go do us proud, as indeed you already have.”

Mharakuwa admitted facing the Japanese star would be “tough”, but added: “That is what we are here for!”

Zimbabwe sent two athletes to the Paralympic Games – Mharakuwa and 39-year-old sprinter Elliot Mujaji.

Mujaji won gold in the 100m at the Sydney games in 2000 and Athens in 2004, but finished outside the medals at the Beijing games in 2008.

• I think #Zim u19 cricket performance put into context given India's win over Australia today in the final. They had a good game agnst India. #
• The #Zim u19 cricket a much better team than where they ended up. They put up one of the best performances of all teams against India #
• #Zim u19 cricket matches against Scotland and PNG were real aberrations and whilst we must learn from them, must not dwell on them too long. #
• Rejoice Ngwenya today: "Zanu PF runs a government of the party, for the party, by the party". Wonderful parody of Lincoln's great statement #
• Well done SA Cricket for getting to top of all 3 rankings – but just a reminder that last time #Zim played you we beat you comprehensively!! #
• #Zim Paralympic team welcomed in London. Go team! http://t.co/79dDZVUL #
• #Zim Sean Crocker has risen to 34th on the AJGA USA Polo golf rankings! This is the ranking for all junior golfers under the age of 18. #
• #Zimbabwean Sean Crocker is now 9th ranked in his division of 16 year olds throughout the USA! (2014 graduation). Roll on Rio 2016! #
• ZANU PF so disingenuous when say that they must follow the "peoples views" and yet are so willing to ignore them when it comes to devolution #
• ZANU PF's argument that somehow a unitary state and a devolved state cannot be one and the same thing is pathetic. #
• South Africa is clearly a unitary state but has devolved substantial powers down to its provinces, which is all the Zimbabwean people want. #
• ZANU PF's attempt to use supposed majority positions on some issues to say what should be in constitution totally ignores minority opinions. #
• A constitution should embrace, protect and reflect all people's interests, for all time, and not those of a simple majority. #
• Democracy is best described by Abraham Lincoln as "Government of, by and for the people"- and by that he meant all people and not the party! #
• ‘No school fees increase' http://t.co/UsJbB2dO via @newsdayzimbabwe #
• Thinking of the Young Sables as they play Namibia at Price Edward this afternoon. Sorry I can't be there but with you in spirit lads. Go Zim #
• All the very best to @NyashaTennisAce Mharakurwa today at 11am when he competes in the men's singles wheelchair tennis round of 64. Go #Zim #
• I encourage you all to follow @NyashaTennisAce and to send him your good wishes so that he knows #Zimbabwe is behind him today. God bless! #
• Harare 4th worse city according to Economist? http://t.co/fZedWVWa – But how how does this factor in with this http://t.co/w8uZxrtu? #
• Crocker star shines in United States http://t.co/gtbdCcbI via @newsdayzimbabwe #
• London Paralympic Games Open to Crowds and Scrutiny http://t.co/egc3yJTS via @thedailybeast #
• Hearty congratulations to @NyashaTennisAce Mharakurwa for beating Swiss opponent Yann Avanthey 6/4 6/3 in wheelchair tennis. Done us proud! #
• Sad luck Young Sables following your loss to Namibia today. But well done – if nothing else the presence of 2 top Zim teams showed our depth #

NewsDay

By Daniel Nhakaniso

1 September 2012

Talented United States-based Zimbabwean junior golfer Sean Crocker’s continued rise on the US circuit continued this week after jumping 33 places on the prestigious American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Polo Golf Rankings from position 67 to a credible 34.

The AJGA which is open to junior golfers between the ages of 12 and 18 and 15-year-old Crocker is ranked as the ninth best player throughout the US at the moment in the Under-16 category.

Crocker, who is the son of Bulawayo-born former Zimbabwe Test cricketer Gary Crocker, owed his rapid rise on the standings on the back of two consecutive second place finishes on the AJGA Junior Tour in August.

The California-based golf prodigy finished in a tie for second place at the AJGA Junior at Fox Hill on August 6 before finishing alone in second place in the AJGA Junior at Robinson Ranch on August 13.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart used his Twitter account to congratulate Crocker who graduates from high school in 2014.

Coltart believes Crocker could be one of the country’s representatives at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro when golf becomes an Olympic sport.

“Zimbabwean Sean Crocker, son of former Zimbabwe Test cricketer Gary Crocker, has leaped to 34th on the American Junior Golf Association Polo golf rankings!

“He is about to go to a US university on a sports scholarship. He flies the Zimbabwe flag at all tournaments he plays in. This is the ranking for all junior golfers under the age of 18 and he is now 9th ranked in his division of 16 year olds throughout the USA!

“This lad is one of the most exciting golfing prospects Zimbabwe has produced in the last few years. He is receiving regular support and coaching from Zimbabwe’s golfing great Nick Price. He will be eligible to play for Zimbabwe in the Rio Olympics in 2016, said Coltart.

In July Crocker lifted the country’s flag high by finishing an impressive 16th out of 200 hopefuls at the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, California.

The promising young player will have two more cracks at the same tournament until he turns 18 and with the way he is going, it won’t be a surprise if he follows the footsteps of his mentor and fellow countryman, the legendary Nick Price who won the same tourney in 1974 aged 17.

The Sunday News

By Lulu Brenda Harris

1 September 2012

ZIMBABWE will be hosting the first round tournament of the world hockey league in 2014 if it manages to renovate one of the preferred stadiums to the required international standard.

The stadium in question is Magamba Hockey Stadium in Harare where the facilities are an eyesore and its renovations have been touted as a precondition for the country to host the high profile event.

The International Hockey Federation wants Magamba to be upgraded in a manner that matches Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo and Government through the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture has already started the renovation process.

To kick-start the renovation process, Minister of   Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart who confirmed the pre-condition to the invitation has initiated a process to make sure the costs of rehabilitation are included in the Government’s 2013 budget.

He said the 2013 budget would be passed by Parliament in mid December and that is when he will be in a position to advise whether Zimbabwe can accept the invitation to play host. The African Hockey Federation (AfHF) also wrote a letter to Senator Coltart telling him of its support to the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe’s efforts to host the first round of the world hockey tournament given they follow the required steps.

AfHF also said it has “motivated upon the International Hockey Federation the need and desirability of holding this tournament in Harare an important stronghold of hockey in Zimbabwe”.

The hockey tournament will have both men’s and women’s competitions and it is envisaged that six competing nations including Zimbabwe will battle each other in men’s and women’s competitions.

The tournament will also qualify teams for the next stage of the world hockey league, a global competition, which itself will be a competition that qualifies teams for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

NewsDay

By Kupakwashe Makonye

31 August 2012

Education minister David Coltart has ordered all government schools not to effect any fee increases this coming term until after civil servants’ salaries have been reviewed.

Coltart made the decree on Tuesday after the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) last month petitioned him to issue a government directive ordering a freeze on school fee increases.

In its petition dated July 31, the PTUZ said any increase in school fees would negatively affect civil servants whose salaries have remained stagnant for a long time.

In a letter to PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, Coltart said any reviews of fees by government schools had to be approved by the government.

“As regards fees at government schools, please be assured that these will not be increased in the third term,” he said.

“As you are aware, all proposed increases to non-government school fees and all school levies have to be approved by the (Education) permanent secretary. In the circumstances, if we decide to freeze increases, we have the power in terms of the Education Act to do so without the necessity of going to Cabinet.”

Civil servants’ salaries have remained unchanged for a long time with Finance minister Tendai Biti saying government’s current purse cannot sustain an increase.

Biti recently disclosed that the government wage bill presently consumes 73% of government’s total monthly revenue.