ly affluent parents can afford.
This comes on the heels of the minister of education’s interference with the fee structure of private schools, where fee increases have been capped to an unsustainable level – far below the rate of inflation.
For a government that came into power with the battle cry of “Education for all” this is beyond words, beyond tears, beyond rage.
It is just another symptom of the general collapse of Zimbabwe.
Shortly after Independence, the Mugabe regime took credit, and rightly so, for fantastic advances in education. Our nation’s literacy rate rapidly grew to 75% – the highest in Africa at the time.
There was indeed free primary education for all for a decade. To this day Zimbabweans are reaping the rewards of the initial Zanu (PF) educational policy – which sees many of them securing top jobs throughout the region, as well as abroad.
As a former teacher and a diligent student, Mugabe himself rejoiced at this and was internationally applauded for his government’s wisdom and commitment.
For several years Zimbabweans were able proudly to quote the fact that our government was one of only a handful in the world, if not the only one, whose education budget outstripped that of defence.
Today, the government hands over far more to Chinese arms manufacturers than it spends on education for our children. Imported weaponry is used to crush internal dissent and criticism. Millions of children roam the countryside and city streets, their minds as ragged and hungry as their bodies.
Of all the sectors in Zimbabwe to have been systematically destroyed by Mugabe and his greedy thievocracy, education is the most significant and will have the most tragic long-term effect.
This is our future that is being destroyed – not only our present. It will have huge ramifications on the speed of recovery of the nation, once the current regime is deposed and a new constitution and internationally-supervised elections put us back on track again.
It may have been over-used but Alan Paton said it best: Cry the beloved country.
Word for Today
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power, or let them be condemned when brought to trial. Wait for the LORD and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land, when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.” Psalm 37; 32,33