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Students shun teacher-training institutions
Radio VOP
September 25, 2008

http://www.radiovop.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3922&Itemid=755

Teacher's training colleges in and around the province have failed to attract prospective students who are shunning the profession in preference of the money spinning informalbusinesses.

Adding to this problem, the only few students, who signed for the places were also failing to raise the needed fees, making the operations of the colleges very hard, sources revealed.

These problems and the hunger crisis, that has stalked institutions of higher and tertiary education, led to the delay in the opening of most colleges

The institutions also failed to attract the required students even when they lowered entry requirements.

Among the teacher training institutions snubbed are the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) run Morgenster College, Roman Catholic Church-owned Bondolfi as well as the government owned Masvingo Teacher's College.

Sources from Bondolfi College revealed that this shortage had stalled the opening of the institutions after some students who had expressed interest in the highly degrading teaching profession did not turn up at the proposed start of the semester on September 15. Only 30 students, out of around 200, were said to have showed up on the opening day.

"I wonder if we will open this semester. Many vacancies are yet to be filled, people no longer like teaching because of low salaries and poor working conditions. Very few people have expressed interest," said the source, which preferred anonymity.

Staff from Morgenster Teacher's College was seen nailing posters in some parts of the town, advertising for the vacant posts.

Traditionally, prospective teachers used to jostle for teaching vacancies at colleges.

Provincial Education Director (PED), Clara Dube, denied the charges, but attributed the delay in opening due to a lecturer's strike.

"I am not informed about the low enrolment. As far as I am concerned, the colleges failed to open due to a lecture's strike at most colleges and universities," said Dube.

Teachers in Zimbabwe are among the lowest paid and have been going on endless strikes, risking the standard of education in the country.

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