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Planning and budgeting for children our collective responsibility
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
June 16, 2010

Remembering the gallant students who protested against the Afrikaans Medium Decree of 1974 in Apartheid South Africa which, forced black schools to use Afrikaans and English in a 50-50 mix as languages of instruction and colonialism at large. We honour all those who were maimed and those who marched in 1976 to chronicle their disapproval of the diabolic decree and the menacing effects of apartheid. Others in Africa are commemorating the day, whilst children in Zimbabwe are groaning and mourning as the nation fail to reflect on the progress towards education, health and protection for the children.

The education sector has become a faint relic of its former self, as the quality of the service delivery continues to plunge into the doldrums. The quality of education from primary to tertiary level has heavily depreciated exacerbated by the lack of motivation of academic personnel viz-a-viz skimpy remuneration. Obsolete technology, outdated reading materials and curriculum are still prevalent in schools and institutions of higher learning. Entrepreneurialism has taken centre-stage in institutions of higher learning at the expense of research thereby forsaking the core mandate of pursuing the academic mission.

The government relinquished the mandate of funding for education from itself to the parents and students as schools and college authorities whether state or privately owned now cater for the day-to-day running costs from the tuition fees paid by students. Furthermore schools and tertiary institutions now oblige students to pay their teachers and lecturers allowances, thereby making the rural schools in dire need of teachers as rural-to-urban flight of educators is now ubiquitous.

Both the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) and Cadetship scheme are only able to assist a handful of the deserving students leaving a greater chunk of the students with no option except of dropping out of the educational system. The Cadetship programme violates the right to work for an employer of one's choice as one is automatically bonded by the government and in the long run this will create an excruciating saddle for the government and the nation at large as it will ceaselessly amplify the public service wage bill. The examining boards such as ZIMSEC and HEXCO are disgustingly underfunded resulting in poor handling of examinations, late publication of results and corrupt activities which are now rife in these organizations.

The government of the day has no money to empower its own institutions of higher learning but has the audacity to send children of ZANU-PF apologists' to inferior universities in South Africa. If that money was to be invested in the country's institutions of higher learning, it would have gone a milestone in warranting that updated teaching and learning materials are available. Some few private players have commenced trickling in, with some form of assistance in terms of funding such as providing reading materials, promoting technological advancements, bursaries and scholarships to mention just but a few. Majority of the donor community that used to assist with funding for infrastructure development, learning and reading materials withdrew their assistance citing reasons such as politicization, heavy government interference and corruption by government institutions.

Despite Zimbabwe having laws of protecting children's welfare and rights; it is a heart-rending reality that there is an upsurge in the violation of children and students' rights. The cases of rape are incessantly increasing, child labour is prevalent in farming areas, children are being denied the right to education, and unlawful arrests of student activists are rampant amongst other violations. Students at any level of education in our beloved independent Zimbabwe are being barred access to library facilities, to attend lessons or lectures, register and write exams for the misdemeanour of being underprivileged. The government through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education has pegged tuition fees that are ridiculous and have allowed institutions of higher learning to charge extra fees resulting in education being acquired by the select few.

Student activists are being expelled and suspended at a disturbing rate ever since the inception of the Government of National Unity. This is a manifestation of the college authorities being manned by loads of political appointees, for instance on average 75% members of Council in Zimbabwean tertiary institutions are politically appointed as compared to 13% of our fellow counterparts in South Africa. It is not a felony to cry out loud in the face of these problems; students should not be forced into submission of stuff that is devilish and outrageous.

Schools and institutions of higher learning are not even slightly suited to accommodate those that are differently able; for instance the learning material and infrastucture is not suitable for those who are blind and deaf. Recently ZINASU witnessed discrimination at exertion when the Principal of Harare Polytechnic Mr. Raza fruitlessly tried to throw out a student from college for her blindness. Infrastructure on tertiary institutions is not suitable for those who make use of wheelchairs, this depicts that the government is insensitive to issues concerning the differently able students. The government and college authorities should emulate the University of Botswana where high quality and special infrastructure has been developed to cater for the differently able students.

Poor health facilities are a common ground in both rural and urban areas with rural areas being severely affected. Health education on STI's is not being adequately provided by the government and college authorities, however the role played by NGO's and civil society is greatly appreciated. It has become difficulty for the students and the general Zimbabwean population to acquire health services and children are greatly affected. Pregnant women are being detained in hospitals after giving birth if there are still amounts being owed to the service provider by the person in question which is a devastating experience that women are going through.

The Government of National Unity has failed to play the transitional role which is the only critical factor that catalysed the creation of it. In terms of the Global Political Agreement the creature has managed to solve power sharing clauses with the exception of some few issues but in terms of delivering progress to the people there is nothing to show for it. ZINASU urges the government to prioritize social services such as health and education when budgeting for the nation. The two Ministries of Education should work towards revising their tuition fees downwards as they are still beyond the reach of many and BEAM must be adequately financed.

Cadetship programme should be scrapped off and be replaced by the loan and grant scheme that is adequately financed to ensure that tertiary education be accessible to all on the basis of merit. The Parliament should consider revising the University Act to guarantee democracy and progress in institutions of higher learning as well as the quantity of political appointees should be significantly chopped-off. The government with the assistance of willing private players should work towards the moulding of a clear and progressive education policy that will work towards making quality education accessible to all.

The youths of Zimbabwe are not interested in the National Youth Service and the government in particular Minister Kasukuwere should shelve the decision of its re-introduction. They should prioritize more on national healing not to re-introduce a programme that has been used as the machination of political violence when the memories of the terror is still vivid in the minds of people. Youths should be availed opportunities that will empower them economically and get rid of the dependency syndrome which has resulted in them being vulnerable to blood-thirsty politicians as tools of violence.

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