Home Blog Page 384

Rutenga residents blast council reluctance on flea markets

TellZim News
-
0
Rutenga residents blast council reluctance on flea markets

Cephas Shava

Residents of Rutenga Growth Point’s Ward 18 recently blasted the local authority’s delay on the reconstruction of the area’s flea market which Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) razed down following a directive from central government during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the area’s budget consultation meeting held on November 8 at the council hall, residents took turns to express their discontent over the local authority’s lack of action in reconstructing the flea market.
Jasper Mhaka, a resident of Rutenga said it was surprising that council is developing cold feet on addressing their issue.
“Flea markets are a major if not the only source of livelihood for residents here. Lack of action and seriousness over this issue by the local authority is worrisome especially given that it is the same council claiming to be broke, that is now dragging its feet in reconstructing structures that generate money. What is worrisome is that there are individuals within council who are benefiting from the continued lack of flea markets in Rutenga. As residents, we need immediate action over this issue of flea markets,” said Mhaka.
The local authority’s treasurer, Richwell Sitera and the Human Resource (HR) representative Trust Magaisa who were part of the Rutenga budget consultation meeting, however, promised that the local authority would address the residents’ concerns with the urgency they deserve amid several objections from residents.
Another critical concern raised was that of some ‘dubious’ road contractors who are occasionally hired by the local authority and they end up doing substandard work.
Local businessperson Rex Gumbo said poor construction works done by some of the hired contractors is worrisome.
“We have got contractors with well-known documented track records of deceiving local authorities across the country, but it seems they are continuously finding their way getting tenders here. There is need for due diligence in selecting some of these contractors because right now we agree that the structures currently being worked on the N and R Road are completely substandard, ” said Gumbo.
Contacted for comment, Mwenezi RDC Chief Executive Officers (CEO) said the issue of construction of flea markets is top of their priority list and the re-construction process will depend on the rate at which residents pay their bills.
“We have made the issue of Rutenga flea markets construction part of next year’s budget but as you are aware, the rate at which we will fully construct the structures depends on how Rutenga residents will upscale their rate payments as well.
“The improvement of any other service delivery strictly depends on how residents adhere to rate payments,” said Chivanga.
The budget consultation also noted that the local authority managed to only collect 20% of the revenue from Rutenga Growth Point.

MoHCC initiates Covid-19 vaccination on 16-17 years age group

TellZim News
-
0
MoHCC initiates Covid-19 vaccination on 16-17 years age group

…lactating, pregnant women eligibility still hangs in balance

Kimberly Kusauka

Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has already started Covid_19 vaccination on initially excluded groups following approval by Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to include them on Sinovac vaccine.
The decision to include these groups was announced during the 39th post-cabinet briefing held in Harare though MoHCC is yet to relay the information nationally.
Masvingo Covid-19 Taskforce spokesperson Rogers Irimayi said the vaccination of teenagers aged 16-17 has already begun in the province and the Sinovac vaccine is in place while they are carrying out awareness programmes in the districts.
“The vaccination of teenagers aged 16-17 has started in Masvingo province. The Sinovac vaccine has already been sourced and awareness campaigns are underway in the districts.
“We are encouraging those who want to be vaccinated to visit vaccination centres where the vaccines have been distributed,” said Irimayi.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamhu said they sent a truck to collect vaccines from Harare and distribution will start on November 11, 2021.
“We sent a truck to collect vaccines from the headquarters and they will be distributed in clinics starting from November 12,” said Dr Shamhu.
He said on the issue of including lactating mothers and pregnant women in the vaccination programme, the ministry has not yet written an official document.
“We have not yet received a written circular from MoHCC giving us green light to start vaccinating lactating mothers and pregnant women,” said Dr Shamhu.
Early September there was serious confusion over the vaccination of pregnant women and lactating mothers against Covid-19 in the country as officials continued to issue contradicting statements on the official position.
In that same month World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a statement on their website claiming that the vaccination of lactating and pregnant mothers brings in more benefits than harm as they are also at risk of infection.
“WHO recommends vaccinating pregnant women and lactating mothers where benefits outweigh the risks. That means pregnant women with heightened exposures to Covid-19, such as health workers and those with comorbidities, stand to benefit from vaccination,” read the WHO statement.
Recently MoHCC Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said the nation had reached 38 percent on achieving herd immunity of the total population and gave green light to the vaccination of pregnant and lactating mothers while addressing journalists at a National Aids Council (NAC) workshop in Chinhoyi.
“On achieving herd immunity, we are now at 38 percent and it is everyone’s duty to contribute towards achievement of 60 percent by end of 2021. We have publicly announced that if pregnant and lactating women want to be vaccinated, they can do so,” said Dr Mangwiro.
Pregnant women and lactating mothers continue to be turned away from vaccination centres where they are told that MoHCC are yet to give a clear directive.
With just a month to go before year-end, it remains to be seen if the herd immunity would be achieved.

Teachers demand ZIMSEC invigilation allowance

TellZim News
-
0
Teachers demand ZIMSEC invigilation allowance

…as ARTUZ threatens 12 days work withdrawal

Rutendo Chirume

Teachers unions have resolved to demand invigilation allowances during the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) national examinations together with payment of bonuses in United States dollars which will restore their salaries to the October 2018 scale of US$540.
The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) took to their official Twitter account on November 7, threatening to withdraw invigilation services during examinations if the issue of allowances is not addressed.
“ZIMSEC claims that preparations for exams are going on smoothly. You have forgotten so soon. How do you get ready when Zimsec has not signed any contracts with teachers for invigilation? No allowance, no invigilation,” reads the tweet.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said if Zimsec is able to pay other teachers to be examiners, it should be prepared to pay those invigilating the exams.
“We demand invigilation allowances separate from our salaries because Zimsec is a separate entity. If the same entity is paying other teachers to be examiners, it should be prepared to pay those invigilating the examinations. We will not hesitate to withdraw our services if our demands are not met,” said Masaraure.
Masaraure also said ARTUZ members will not be intimidated and will not hesitate to protest unless they are attended to because the misery of teachers cannot be ignored.
“From 15 to 27 November we will withdraw our labour begging for the attention of Mthuli Ncube. The misery of teachers cannot be ignored .Festive season is fast approaching, we desperately need a raise .Our families are starving,” said Masaraure.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Dr Takavafira Zhou said their members are defiant and will not invigilate public examinations unless they are paid for the task.
PTUZ on the same day (November 7) took a position over invigilation. Infact our members have defied invigilation of public examinations and a number of them have been brought for disciplinary hearings that failed to take off because Zimsec has no contract with teachers as a parastatal.
It is also Zimsec that failed to compensate teachers involved in accidents while taking public examination papers back to its offices on the basis that it has no contract with them. Zimsec must therefore enter into a contract with teachers, pay for invigilation of public examinations and even Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities (CALA) by teachers. Our members would not invigilate public exams unless they are paid,” said Zhou.
Zimsec Public Relations Officer (PRO) Nicky Dlamini said the organization is waiting for a formal request from the unions because they have only communicated through the media.
“We are still waiting for them to put a formal request to the organization so that we can sit down and reach a common ground. So far they have only communicated through the media,” said Dlamini.
In the same list of resolutions teachers demanded that government should review their salaries back to pre-October 2018 when they used to earn US $540 from US $100 equivalent of the local currency (when converted using parallel market rates) they are currently earning.
The strike is set to go under the banner “12 voices for education campaign” where each day would be dedicated to a particular voice from the community members who are interested in education in order to help the unions amplify their voice for the restoration of pre-October 2018 wages.
Public examinations are around the corner with Ordinary levels starting on November 22 while grade 7 and Advanced levels are set for November 29.

Zimstat gears up for 2022 population census

TellZim News
-
0
Zimstat gears up for 2022 population census

Brighton Chiseva

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) said it is upping its game in preparation for the 2022 national population and housing census.
In a statement during a post cabinet briefing on November 9, the Minister of Information and broadcasting services Monica Mutsvangwa said 31 000 Tablets (phones) to be used in the enumeration exercise had already been delivered with the census mapping having reached close to 85percent.
“The nation is informed that preparations for the 2022 population and housing census are on-going with 31 000 Tablets to be used during the exercise having been delivered so far. Census mapping has covered about 84.6 percent of the country and is expected to be complete by January 21, 2022,” said Mutsvangwa.
The 2022 census scheduled for April will for the first time be done digitally meaning they are doing away with paper to save time for data capturing.
Enumerators will enter information they gather in mobile gadgets which directly send data to the national server.
Speaking to TellZim News, Zimstat Public Relations Officer Roland Chiringa said about 20 000 tablets are expected to be delivered anytime soon.
He went on to say they are already conducting workshops with enumerators as they prepare them for the actual exercise.
“Preparations are going on very well and we already got 31 000 tablets and 20 000 more will be delivered to fit the actual number we need for the enumerators. We recently had a workshop with our enumerators in Gweru. We started on the November 4, and finished on November 13 as we prepare for the pilot Census which will start on November 17,” said Chiringa.
Provincial and district census structures have already been set up and Zimstat is sensitizing structures to be prepared for the census.
The census will run for 10 days, with enumerators drawn from their localities, and each is expected to cover about 100 households.

Covid-19 vaccination cards theft investigations at Mucheke clinic ongoing

TellZim News
-
0
Covid-19 vaccination cards theft investigations at Mucheke clinic ongoing

Kimberly Kusauka

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Masvingo council municipal police have launched an investigation into the whereabouts of an undisclosed number of Covid-19 vaccination cards that mysteriously disappeared at Mucheke clinic between end of August to early September 2021.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu confirmed the issue and referred all questions to Masvingo City Council Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ngonidzashe Mapamula as the facility is council-run.
“I can confirm that Covid-19 vaccination cards were stolen at Mucheke clinic around the end of August or early September but you can get finer details from Mr Mapamula,” said Dr Shamhu.
Mapamula said the case was reported at Chikato police station in Mucheke and is still under investigation.
“The issue was reported at Chikato police station and ZRP, Municipal police and our audit section are involved in the investigation.
“It is still an issue which is under investigation hence we cannot comment much,” said Mapamula.
Cases of theft of vaccination cards once rose during the peak of the ‘command vaccination’ as some defiant people ended up engaging in corrupt activities to get proof of vaccination which they would not have undergone.
In the past few months, people have been raising concern on the simplicity of the vaccination card, with some saying the cards did not have any security features hence open to manipulation before the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) moved a step forward by digitizing the cards in August this year.
It seems there is low turnout of people at vaccination points since most of them are now reluctant following Covid-19 lockdown relaxation from level four to two.

Gweru stakeholders implore govt to resuscitate recreational facilities

TellZim News
-
0
Gweru stakeholders implore govt to resuscitate recreational facilities

Tinaani Nyabereka

Stakeholders in Gweru have implored government and city council to resuscitate recreational facilities in and around the city, as most of the facilities are not serving their intended purposes.
Most recreational centres are being used as churches and pre-schools, a development that has affected most initiatives within the sport and art sectors.
Speaking at a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youths, Sport, Arts and Recreation public hearing on November 6 in Gweru, cultural activist and musician, Joseph Tawanda Nhara (aka Man-Souljah) said most recreational centers and trust organisations in the province are abused by sectors not even linked to sport and recreation.
He added that young people are also failing to access these facilities due to exorbitant rates being billed by the local authority.
“My question to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee is simply as, I want to find out how best we can engage council and government as residents and stakeholders to help us restore our trust organisation like the Midlands Academy of Music to their proper use.
“These facilities were handed over to the public for public use and were run by boards of directors but to our surprise, their intended use long changed as they are being leased out. These boards and management committees no longer exist and elections long ceased.
“It is a sad development because these places seem to have been personalised. Some of the facilities were turned into pre-schools and churches as well as company offices,” added Nhara.
He further said youths were indulging in drug activities as they did not have productive centres of convergence.
“As for our theater, it was manned by theater guilds who later on returned the facility to council under the mandate of serving the public.
“Now the theater is being rented to various churches and over time it has become so dilapidated. We have a lot of children and professional actors who are into theater, movies but cannot use the facilities. My appeal is those not entitled to use these centers must stay away for purposes of development of arts.
“Our city has city planners so they must make sure that churches get land where they are supposed to construct own facilities,” he said.
Meanwhile Gweru Sports Club chairperson John Makuwalo said as a recreational centre they were struggling to come to terms with the prevailing council bills which he feels are too much for the tenants.
“My appeal to committee is we recently received a bill of ZW$ 400 000 and still do not understand how council came up with such a figure when we are not having council supplied water. At one point we engaged council with a payment and our challenges on access to water but the debt is still growing,” said Makuwalo.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson for Youths, Sports, Arts and Recreation who is also the Member of Parliament for Vungu constituency, Omega Sibanda tasked Gweru council to present all the paperwork concerning arts and recreational centres in the city.
“So let me put the Mayor to task that by November 20, 2021 we want all the paperwork concerning recreational centres and Arts Trust Organisations so that we understand where we are coming from, who is currently renting or leasing these facilities. We want to come back and have a tour of these of facilities as a committee,” Sibanda said.
Presenting on the state of security provision at recreational centres, Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe said council was trying to upgrade other facilities like the Gweru African Football Association (GAFA) and Ascot Stadiums.
“We are still worried with the issue of vandalism whereby we are trying to resuscitate our grounds but we have challenge of resources as our budgets sometimes fail to cater for all the refurbishments,” Makombe said.

Litmus test for E.D, Mwonzora

TellZim News
-
0
Litmus test for E.D, Mwonzora

…As by-elections set for 2022 first quarter

…Winner to set tone for 2023

TellZim Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the leader of MDC-T Douglas Mwonzora have a litmus test to prove their worth and popularity during the by-elections set for the first quarter (January – April) next year, ahead of 2023 harmonized elections.
Mwonzora and ED allegedly went into an unholy alliance which saw the former given unfettered powers to recall over 120 MPs, senators and councilors that were elected under the MDC Alliance, with Nelson Chamisa as their presidential candidate in 2018.
Addressing hordes of supporters in Chimanimani where he was officially opening the Jopa-Kopa Highway, Mnangagwa told supporters that the party was expecting to win all the 133 vacant national assembly and local authority elective seats.
“We will be holding elections during the first quarter of 2022. As Zanu PF, we want a clean sweep of all the vacant seats. This will serve as a litmus test for our preparedness in the 2023 harmonized elections,” Mnangagwa said.
By confirming that the by-elections are indeed a litmus test for Zanu PF, Mnangagwa is probably not confident to win especially considering the current economic crisis and the factions that are threatening to tear up the party.
Political analysts said the by-elections are a litmus test for both Mwonzora and Mnangagwa who are under fire for allegedly destroying the economy and waging an unholy alliance against the MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa.
Chamisa was attacked by Zanu PF supporters in Masvingo and Manicaland Provinces last month during his citizens’ convergence for change tours, which has been described as desperate attempts by the ruling party to intimidate opposition supporters come election time.
Academic and political analyst Dr Davidson Mugodzwa said although the announcement of by-elections is long overdue, the polls are likely to shock the Mwonzora outfit, while Zanu PF stands a chance in rural more than urban areas.
“The by-elections are late and the government has been hiding behind Covid-19 but now because of pressure they now say they are holding them. Indeed they are a litmus test for both Zanu PF and MDC-T.
“Mwonzora is going to be shamed by the electorate come next year. I will expect however rural areas to go to Zanu PF as they are dominated by the peasantry,” Dr Mugodzwa said.
Another political analyst Dr Wellington Gadzikwa, said the by-elections will show whether parties have support they purport to have and for Zanu PF they will likely bring out the depth of the factional fights within the party.
“The by-elections will bring out the factor of who is who, especially in Zanu PF where there are purported factional fights.
Dr Gadzikwa said the ruling party might be trying to lure the electorate in preparation of the by-elections but it may be not be received as it is leaving out a big chunk of the population.
“Zanu PF may be promising civil servants bonuses in United States dollars, as well as other benefits for war veterans, but then what happens to the ordinary electorate, where their vote lies?” Gadzikwa said.
The Mwonzora outfit has been battling an array of legitimacy issues, recently being entangled in a violent incident that involved a former Dr Thokozani Khupe aide Kudzanai Mashumba.
On the other hand, Nelson Chamisa’s recent tour seems to have reinforced his eagerness to retain his position in politics, with his recalled councilors, legislators and senators renewing their hopes for a return when by-elections come.
The electorate, especially urbanites are waiting eagerly to see how both Zanu PF and Mwonzora’s MDCT will wiggle their way out of the intensifying pressure by-elections are likely to bring.

Woman killed in crocodile attack

TellZim News
-
0
Woman killed in crocodile attack

Fredrick Moyo

A woman from Ngoveni village under chief Tshovani in Chiredzi recently died from a crocodile attack while fishing.
The incident took place on Novermber 3, 3021 at around 1300 hours, when Gladys Tsunduka Muhlava (65) and other women went to Bodzwa stream for fishing.
Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and encouraged members of the community not to fish in crocodile infested water bodies.
“We encourage members of the public to avoid fishing in crocodile infested water bodies as they might get attacked,” said Dhewa.
Sources said while they were fishing, other women went to a garden and left Muhlava at the stream fishing with Union Zemucha (age not given) using a mosquito net.
Whilst the two were fishing, the crocodile attacked Zemucha, biting her on the arm.
Zemucha remained calm and then told Muhlava that she had been bitten.
Muhlava then ran out to the riverbank where she picked up a log so that she could rescue her partner by hitting the crocodile that then jumped towards her, gripping her from the back before disappearing with her into the waters.
Zemucha who suffered multiple deep cuts on her right arm and palm then ran out of the water and told others what had transpired before going to Chiredzi District Hospital for medical attention.
On November 4, 2021, police visited the scene and found the body of the deceased floating and villagers recovered the corpse.
Muhlava’s body was found with the right arm amputated, her left shoulder bone crushed and deep wounds on the upper part of the body and at the back.

Is Chinamasa against ED?

TellZim News
-
0
Is Chinamasa against ED?

I heard Zimbabweans have been informed to brace up for more power outages kkkkk. Nhai Minister Soda ndozvamakatirongera here izvi neMinistry yenyu. Hoo nhai, that is why Zanu PF empowered its youths in selling firehood paya tichiti kupenga kkkkk. Vanga vatoonera kuti we are going to have this total blackout yekushaya magetsi nhai? This is very interesting sure. You will hear them soon mumastreets calling out kuti huni huni huni, fresh fresh from the mountain kkkkk. Seka zvako mapombi kusekera godo semukadzi wenhaka. Forgive me dear readers, I once said this muna 2018 paya but people didn’t believe me thinking kuti I am mad, now I am sure maakuzviona. The 2018 election promises were mere political lip servicing. Hanzi kuchenesa nyika yese kuti ngwee nemagetsi kkkk. Haa yedu nhamo is not a matter of life and death, it’s totally bigger than both. Hanzi brace for more power cuts, ladies and gentlemen. Hameno henyu imi vasina kujaira, isu we are already used to the situation. Sometimes being a destitute pays in Zimbabwe, you will even emulate us and some of my colleagues in town kuti zvavo zvabhadhara, to them whether kune magetsi or hakuna it’s the same. Apa the alternative, gas, rakakwira mutarara, totizirepi sure. Kuita nhamo yechimodho kuti uku chakagaria moto, uku chakausenga ummmmm.
Where is the CEO of this country zvinhu zvichidai, he promised us jobs jobs and jobs, he promised free education, he promised Magetsi but have fulfilled nothing. The Zimbabwe is open for business mantra didn’t yield anything. Ava CEO ava mmm I think this company vaitadza dai vapa mumwe whilst there is time. He is busy lying to people hanzi less talk and action chete, action ipi ipapa, this stretch yeHarare Beit-bridge isina kutopera ndoyatiri kungoudzwa pese pese.
I want to thank the Worry US for the job well done, I understand they managed to give the game to our next door South Africa coz honestly we didn’t need the win, for what, ko taigoidiii win yacho zvedu isu takabuda kudhara. They save the lives of our fellow countrymen in Mzansi kkkk. We couldn’t humiliate our neighbour anotichengetera vana kudaro. That’s the least we could do to them since we have been reduced to be a province of South African zvedu kkkk, ko handiti zvese tongotora ikoko even matooth pick chaiwo. I am just happy that Murwira recently acknowledged that we have no factory to manufacture crutches kkkk Madondoro chaiwo hatigoni, what a shame.
I heard ZACC yedu yekushaya mazino iyi is circling in Masvingo these days, in Zaka to be specific. Hanzi paKanzuru paya a lot of rot has been going on ipapo. I hope they will bring sanity there because mmm iri kudyiwa paya. Ko ndovadii kana kumusoro vachidyawo, they are eating at their level. I just hope that this toothless ZACC will do something, maybe up there kumakata but apa they can’t fail, if they do then we are doomed. At least they should just show us they are capable of doing something.
Can someone please tell Mr Bin Chinamasa to stop it, he should just stop it, if he is smoking surf or flour he just has to stop it and help Zanu PF to uphold the country’s constitution. We need by-elections in Zimbabwe as stipulated by the constitution. A number of people are struggling to get reference letters because their councillors were recalled by crazy Mwonzora and his allies. Now Chinamasa is saying by elections is a waste of resources. How many resources have you squandered nhaiwe Bin Man. Under normal circumstances, the likes of Chinamasa would be concentrating on their farms, which they grabbed from the white farmers and ruined down. Dai muchitorima nePfumvudza contributing to national food security zvirinani. Busy busy kuda kudzvanyirira the populace of Zimbabwe on their right to vote. Takachionera kudhara chimaths chenyu nanaMwonzora ichi so please we are watching you this time hakuna iyoyo. If you are sincere about wasting state resources, why are you letting corrupt ministers walking scot-free? Vana Mupfumira, Rushwaya, Chombo, Obadaiah are the ones wasting state resources vachidya nyika vamwe takati vavava but vakaitwei. Now we have anaTagwirei, the Mnangagwa sons vachiita kudya rifa renyika while the rest wallop in poverty. If you are sincere, pay our teachers. Mari yacho mukuda kuiisepi, at least tell us that you want to pay workers tingatombonzwa. If you will defeat the opposition then just go for elections and prove it. Taking more than hundred people for a summit is wasting state resources not by-elections. Travelling with a motor cade of more than 50 fuel guzzler vehicles to commission Marula plant in Mwenezi is wasting resources. The list is endless and if by-elections is a waste of time then similarly the 2023 will be a waste.
Speaking of by-elections, I heard Controversial and staunch dialogue supporter Killer Zivhu is not going to stand as an independent candidate as has been said by a number of people. Hanzi I was bred in Zanu PF so I cannot go against its candidate. But Zivhu so kkk. I really don’t know what he is made of, he is more than a chameleon. Nhasi he is praising Chamisa, mangwana ED, haaa unobva washaya paari chaipo.
Civil servants please don’t be fooled by being promised bonus in US, they want to hoodwink you into voting for them, remember 2023 paseri apo. I have been monitoring hangu how they are busy walking around opening these stupid fruit processing plants around the country. Kunovhura kumaruzevha uko moti kudiwa kkkkk. If you hear it being reported by the dead ZBC unoti kuda tavhurirwa ziIndustry kkkkk, hapana, they are just like corner shops ladies and gentlemen, nothing much will be done there, no employment creation ikutaurwa apa the few who would be employed there are their relatives and isu povho hatilumi kana tseee. Muchaona henyu hezvino Mapombi ndiri pano, they now want to do a salary increment, you will see as we approach 2023 vaakuti takukupai maUS kkk, watch the space.
Before I go zvangu for my usual meal yemaputi let me speak to the Civic Centre authority, I am seeing a development between Chevron and Kedu Mucheke river apa. It’s a right step in the right direction to have Kennen Park there but mmm nyangwe iwo maJerimani acho akauya how will they tour the park nesmell inobuda muna Mucheke imomo musewer yega yega. Even the public who would want to chill in the park vachiti nice smell from Chevron then odour from Mucheke, I don’t think the combination would be good ini. Let’s respect the Germans guys, vakatipa a lot including an ambulance so please make sure Mucheke river is free from sewerage and oils from the industries so that we have better smell at Kennen Park.
Ko where is the king of bootlicking, kedu Kudzanai Chipanga kkkk. Uripi Kudzi kkkk. Why don’t you go and join the Tyson Wabantu movement nhai Chipanga, I think kuZanu havakude kana zvavo ava. Or else you can join the queue with your relative Hosiah Chipanga, hanzi akudawo kuona His Excellency kkkk. Mboko Imboko.

Covid-19 lockdowns, CALA tasks and teachers’ strikes

TellZim News
-
0
Covid-19 lockdowns, CALA tasks and teachers’ strikes

…the plight of ZIMSEC candidates

Rutendo Chirume/Emmanuel Chitsika

The 12-day job action declared by Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) beginning on November 15 up until 27, as a way of voicing their concern to the ever-deteriorating living and working conditions of the once noble profession has further cast a grey shadow of despair to exam classes.
The timing of the strike is likely to leave many concerned parents, learners and education stakeholders worried about the future of the sector.
Far-reaching consequences are likely to accrue because of that job action, as has been the case in previous scenarios where government had lived on threats to rope in college-dropouts instead of addressing the issue of teachers’ welfare.
A number of factors come to play contributing to the build-up leading to the writing of the public examinations.
The re-introduction of Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities (CALA) against the ill-prepared state of affairs in most schools, is one cause for concern.
Government’s decision to reintroduce CALA tasks at the backdrop of Covid-19 against the will of various stakeholders involved in the implementation, left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the likely success of the concept.
With most parents suffering at the hands of an already ailing economy, provision of enough resources required in carrying out of such learning tasks coupled with a demotivated workforce will do no good to the learner who is sweating to cover lost ground as a result Covid-19 induced lockdowns.
Ordinary Level examinations are set to begin in less than a week from now and the big question at every stakeholder in education sector’s doorstep is who is going to be in charge of handling the public examinations if the teachers remain in the terraces.
ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure confirmed that his membership has hit the ground running by not reporting for duty as a way of forcing their employer to address their grievances while claiming that attendance of learners has dropped from 92 percent to 57.
Masaraure said if the government does not play the ball correctly, the future of learners could be in jeopardy as the union’s members are defiant vowing not to abandon the strike despite receiving numerous threats from unknown contacts.
“The public exams are just around the corner. If government does not play the ball correctly, the future of our learners is in jeopardy. As it is, some of our members are threatened but that will not intimidate us. On the issue of invigilation allowances the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said we should contact them but they have not responded to us yet,” said Masaraure.
With public exams fast approaching teachers need to wrap up revision and putting final touches before learners can sit for the examinations.
According to reports, the 12 days of action is receiving support and endorsement with evidence of voices from different organizations.
In article published by TellZim News on October 10 this year, Masaraure described CALAs as ‘the worst nightmare an ordinary learner would endure’ after government insisted on the implementation of the assessment tool contributing 30 percent towards the final mark of any given learner.
“The CALA initiative is the worst nightmare being endured by rural learners and teachers. Rural schools, already affected by Covid-19 pandemic and accessibility to resources is very difficult learners in rural areas.
“There is poor network system in rural areas that teachers are not able to research on the topics at hand. Some children live with grandparents who are not even able to read and write which would lead to poor results for this year that will not be a true reflection of a learner’s exit profile, but a big lie to mask the crisis in the education sector,”
A learner, (identity protected as they are a minor) expressed fear through a tweet on microblogging site Twitter where she raised her concerns over the situation saying on top of being affected by lockdown, teachers’ withdrawal from work will further the damage.
“Education is my birth right but I feel like it is being taken away from me. Half of the term was affected by Covid-19 and I have CALAs to concentrate on which consumes more of my study time. Now teachers are on strike at a time that we need them most. If government fails to comply, how are we going to sit for exams without invigilators?” read the tweet.
Progressive Teachers Union in Zimbabwe Secretary General Raymond Majongwe wrote a letter dated November 16 inviting MoPSE to a discussion of several issues among them working conditions and remuneration of teachers, ZIMSEC and associated duties, teachers and learners with disabilities, application of the law, circulars and related statutory instruments.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou promised that a showdown is looming between government and teachers.
“We certainly may be heading for a showdown. We have also written to the Minister requesting an urgent meeting to iron out challenges. If all our efforts fail, the only alternative left is showdown,” said Zhou.
Contacted for comment Public Service Commission (PSC) Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe referred the reporter to MoPSE permanent secretary Tamsanga Thabela.
However, Thabela could not be reached as her mobile was unreachable.
ZIMSEC Public Relations Officer Nicky Dlamini was reported to be engaged in meetings.
The Covid-19 pandemic disturbed the flow of the school calendar thereby relegating learners to their homes with minds lying idle for months.
The writing classes are among the biggest victims of the pandemic as the first lockdown of 2020 started at a time when they were just beginning their courses that is lower six for now Upper six and form 3 for now form 4s.
This crop of learners got less than a quarter of the time they were supposed to have devoted to learning as a result but still they are going to be examined for the fulfillment and completion of the course.

 

1...383384385...969Page 384 of 969