LONDON - Education Minister David Coltart Zimbabweans from such diverse countries as Denmark, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom and others were invited to call a particular number, which put them in the teleconference with the Minister, who was in South Africa at the time.
Dominic Muntanga, a founder member of the Council for Zimbabwe, said Saturdays teleconference was a non-political platform that allowed the Minister to lay out his vision for education in the country while allowing the diaspora to ask how they can help achieve that vision. Coltart outlined the key issues affecting education in Zimbabwe today, including curriculum development and the setting up of Academies of Excellence in each of the countrys provinces.
Callers from the diaspora then asked questions. One caller pointed out that when Coltart took over the ministry the budget for three million children was about US$2 million, only 66 cents per child. Coltart was also asked if he could facilitate legislation that would make imported educational products duty free.
He said there was no need to introduce such legislation, as it was already in place. Under the Private Voluntary Organizations Act it is possible for groups outside the country to send books and other equipment into the country on charitable grounds. Coltart said his ministry could clear their donations with the customs authority.
With the Mugabe regime maintaining a stranglehold on the media, new media technologies are already beginning to make their mark in Zimbabwe, opening up new frontiers for communication.
Post published in: News