Government working flat out to revamp education sector

He pointed out deteriorating learning infrastructures, political violence, poor remuneration and shortages of learning materials such as text books and laboratory equipment as some of the issues still affecting the education sector. Most rural schools were still being shunned because of poor housing and lack of decent comforts such as running water, accessible clinics and electricity.

Coltart who was speaking at a meeting in Bulawayo about the state of education in Zimbabwe, said that several schools in the country had become dangerous learning centres due to dilapidating structures following decades of neglect by the previous Zanu (PF) led government.

The state of the education sector is still in a state of crisis. I took over a collapsed environment in schools where everything was malfunctioning. Although conditions of service for teachers are still far from being satisfactory , I am pleased that this year has been the best teaching year in a decade in terms of days of learning as there was minimum disruption through industrial action, said Coltart.

I am really thankful to Finance Minister Tendai Biti for allocating US$430 million to the education sector during the recent budget but the money is not enough considering the mammoth task ahead. If resources permitted we would have wanted more money to be committed to the rehabilitation of schools, remuneration of teachers and procurement of learning materials.

Although the money allocated to the education sector fell far short of addressing the ministrys challenges, Coltart said he was grateful to Biti for the allocation as it would certainly go a long way in addressing some of the most pressing and urgent needs of the ministry.

I know the minister is operating on a very tight budget. With this allocation we will be able to employ key staff in the ministry, buy vehicles and learning materials such as textbooks and stationery. As from next year teachers will also now be getting a salary as compared to allowances which they have been getting, he said.

He revealed that his ministry had come up with emergency strategic measures to revive and salvage the education sector from total collapse.

The first strategy which we are working as a ministry is to restore the professional status of teachers. We are also improving basic minimum standards of learning in schools through the acquisition of new text books including those for minority languages, he said. His ministry had also stepped in to assist marginalised school children.

We have come up with a deliberate policy to assist marginalised children. There is a huge gap between wealth and poor families in the country. Many children dropped school last decade because they could not afford school fees, he said.

During the meeting participants expressed concern over the safety of teachers during the run up to possible elections next year.

Colt art said the ban on the usage of learning facilities for rallies would be enforced. Last year, I issued a policy directive stating that schools were not to be used for partisan political activity. I am in the process of revising legislation to have legal measures to re-enforce that policy directive, he said. Schools should only be used as education institutions and not to be used for partisan political activity. Yes, I will enforce that ban on the usage of schools for rallies by political parties in the run up to future elections

He said in instances where teachers had fallen victim to political violence he had acted swiftly to protect them. He cited a group of teachers in Chiweshe and Rushinga who were tortured during the 2008 presidential election but were intimidated upon their return after the elections.

The minister said he had to move them out of the hostile environment. However, Coltart added that as minister, It is difficult for me to prevent these incidents from taking place as they happen beyond the realm of the education system.