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Government's lack of commitment on educating the nation shocking
Washington Katema, Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
November 07, 2007

The Zimbabwean government's lack of interest and commitment in funding education is shocking. This is evidenced by Minister Chigwedere's sentiments to the effect of government's intentions to bond new teachers, this comes just after the introduction of the bonding system again in tertiary institutions. This move by the Government is a violation of the right to freedom of movement. Zimbabwean teachers fall among the lowest paid workers in the region earning a palrty salary of about $14million per month, a salary that is way below the poverty datum line of $16million as of 15 October 2007. The teachers now fall among the poorest workers in the society, once occupying the middle class position.

The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Aneas Chigwedere has run short of ideas in solving the crisis in the education sector as it records its most downfall losing more than a quarter of its workers to neighbouring countries in search of better living and working conditions. Zinasu condemns the latest move by the Government as this does not solve "bread and butter" issues affecting teachers instead the Government should just swallow its pride and accept that it has failed to run the education sector among other areas.

Zimbabwe used to have one of the most vibrant education system in the World, but since the localisation of exams. around 1998, the education standards in the country have since deteriorated and are continuing to do so at a very alarming rate. The Minister should be reminded that bonding new teachers is not a solution to the problems affecting the sector. The teachers cannot be expected to work on empty stomachs and survive on empty promises, instead of addressing salary issues, the Government is busy playing a blame game, blaming neighbouring countries for the massive exodus of teaching staff, a problem they are solely to blame.

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