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Teachers do not survive on hollow patriotism
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
November 09, 2007

The decision by Aeneas Chigwedere, the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture to bond teachers as a way of stopping the brain drain that characterizes Zimbabwe's social delivery system is shallow as it is also misguided because it does not address the root causes of the problem.

In the view of the Crisis in Zimbabwe the government should address the governance and legitimacy crisis and the economic malaise associated with it as a key issue to retain the teachers and other professionals fleeing the country in search of better wages and living conditions.

A viable and strong economy that gives teachers and other professionals purchasing power and be able to have savings from their salaries on its own prevent professionals from leaving the country in search of greener pastures.

Given a stable economy supported by the observation of the rule of law where every citizen is free to do their business without the fear of the State through its repressive state apparatus such as the army and the police, Zimbabweans will enjoy their lives in the country.

Minister Chigwedere should also appreciate that since the government no longer funds students in tertiary institutions it would not only be unlawful but also immoral to bond these students.

Zimbabwean authorities have lost the moral high ground to determine where professionals should be employed when families struggle daily to send their children to school in this hyper-inflationary environment created by bad policies of the current regime without state assistance.

It is therefore crucial that Chigwedere and his colleagues return Zimbabwe to democratic legitimacy where the rule of law forms the cornerstone of the country's governance psyche and everything else will follow. The time for hollow patriotism is over.

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe fact sheet

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