Coltart admitted the incentives were controversial, but said the government could not presently afford to pay teachers a respectable salary.
“It’s about management and commitment to institutions and safeguarding the future of the children,” he said. “What affects the Government, affects the parents. Right now the government can’t afford to pay teachers a reasonable salary that is when the parents have to come in and help.”
He said that by continuing to pay levies and incentives parents were investing in their children’s future.
Sometimes incentives involved more than paying money, and urged parents to be involved in the running of schools, he added.
“Parents can have a much greater role and involvement in the education of
their children. If only government schools could take a leaf from
mission and private schools. I recently visited Gutu United primary and I was impressed. The garden was well kept, the walls were freshly painted, the windows were sparkling clean. When I asked who did the job I was told the parents mobilise
each other and carry out duties. If we love our children we should be
willing to do such activities, reduce the burden on schools,
especially rural schools. These chores such as making sure toilets are
in good order are part of the aesthetic value of education. Together
as parents and government, we can make our schools more vibrant, this
is where our children spend most of their days,” he said.
Coltart added that his desire was to see education prioritised in
order for the sector to receive adequate funding which would alleviate
educational problems.
Post published in: News