Peter Chawapiwa
CHIVI – Severe foreign currency shortages have led to the suspension of road surfacing project at Chivi growth point, and there is no immediate solution in sight.
Many residents said the uncompleted roadworks were likely to be damaged by reckless motorists who were prematurely driving on them.
Kizito Manyaza, a resident, said motorists were removing the road barricades to gain access to the uncompleted road surfaces because council was not explaining the delays in finishing the projects.
“The contractor went off site sometime last year and later came back to resume work. After priming part of the roads, they again left and nobody is giving an explanation. Motorists then removed the barriers that had been erected by the contractor and started using the roads,” said Manyaza.
Another resident, Ernest Madawo said it was council’s duty to find ways of ensuring that the work is completed to avoid further inconveniences to road users.
Chivi Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer, Tariro Matavire said the contractor was failing to secure foreign currency to import tar macadam needed for the completion of the roads.
“The contractor applied to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for the allocation of foreign currency to import tar macadam from South Africa where it is readily available but so far nothing has materialised.
“The primer which was used on part of the roads was sourced from other construction sites where it had become a surplus and this was done using local currency. At the moment the contractor is waiting for the central bank to release funds to enable construction work to resume,” said Matavire.
He said council did not have the manpower or resources to stop motorists from prematurely using the incomplete roads.
Forex shortages doom Chivi roads project
A good year for Sacred Heart High
…as school celebrates purchase of new bus, ‘O’ level results
Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – Roman Catholic-run Sacred Heart High has defied unfavourable economic conditions and made an impressive accomplishment by taking delivery of a new bus at a time the school is also celebrating a pass rate improvement at both ‘O’ and ‘A’ level.
The 66-seater Yutong bus, which was imported from China with the facilitation of Drekofil Investment, was acquired to the tune of $400 427 courtesy of a loan facility which the school got after liaising with a local bank.
Speaking to TellZim News, Sacred Heart High School head, Brother Joachim Kamwana said it was exciting that what the school had planned for a long time had finally materialised.
“As Sacred Heart High School, we strongly believe that where there is a will, there is always a way. The school leadership, school development committee, parents and other stakeholders worked together to get this bus here.
“Pupils contributed a levy towards the purchase of this bus but that money alone was not enough so we applied for a loan at FBC bank to meet the costs,” said Brother Kamwana.
He said 2019 will go down in the history of the school as one of the most memorable, with the recently released ‘O’ level results being the best that the school has ever achieved.
“This is proving to be a blessed year for us. Since the establishment of the school our best ‘O’ level pass rate had been 44.88 percent but we have since risen to 59.03 percent. In addition to that, our best ‘O’ level pupil scored 8 As. At ‘A’ level, we recorded a 97.01 percent pass rate,” Brother Kamwana said.
The Rutenga school has become the first choice for many parents in Mwenezi district and beyond, due to many factors that include its convenient location, top-notch learning facilities and impressive record as a learning institution of repute.
Best staff management practices in schools
With Cabnson Magaya
During the 43 years I have worked in the Ministry of Education as a teacher, school head, education officer and district education officer, I have come across different managers whose management styles are completely different. In this presentation I shall attempt to give our school heads and others who would be managers some suggestions on how they can manage their subordinates.
I shall begin by quoting a member of the teaching staff who had this to say about his head. ”Mr. Vuyuvuyu always tells us what to do. He never asks for our ideas or what we think about various school issues. I don’t feel involved at all”. This statement has some very important points that school heads or other managers should bear in mind when they manage their staff.
People like to be consulted about the work they have to do. If their contributions are taken in they will feel that they are part and parcel of the decision-making process. If it is a project to be undertaken, they will assume ownership of that project and will work hard towards the achievement of the strategic objectives of the institution. The staff meeting is the ideal forum for such an exchange of professional ideas.
If staff meetings are well organised, they become very helpful to the manager. At a school where I once taught, the head never took into consideration the suggestions brought in by members of staff in a staff meeting. He would just spell out what he wanted the teachers to do. The only person whose ideas he took into consideration were his wife (she was a staff member). The teachers realised this and they became very uncooperative. Some teachers went to the extent of marking their children’s work during staff meetings. When the head asked the teachers on what they thought about his proposals they would just ask him to tell them what to do and they would do it.
This worried the head so much that he had to ask me, since I was one of the senior teachers, what the problem was all about. I was very frank with him and I told him that the teachers were not happy about the way he carried his business with them and that they were giving him a chance to run the school with his wife in such a way that suited them. The head had to apologise to his staff for having treated them in a very unprofessional manner. After his apology, which was accepted by his staff, the situation normalised and the teachers became more co-operative.
Heads, whose spouses are members of staff, should realise that their wives or husbands are members of staff when they are at work places. They are not the leaders there and should be treated as ordinary members of staff. If they try to assume leadership roles, then they will ignite some conflicts which will in turn become counter-productive to the institution.
The manager should try as much as possible to create an environment where his subordinates feel involved in the day to day running of an institution. If people are enjoying their work, and feel that what they are achieving is worthwhile, they are likely to be more tolerant of less than perfect working conditions (few schools can claim perfection).
One school in Binga district, which I visited when I was Education Secretary for the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) had a staff compliment of twelve teachers. Shops were many kilometres away. There were only two habitable teacher’s houses but the teachers were happy and well-motivated. They had a good manager. There are some schools that have some very good and attractive staff houses but have a high staff turnover because of the way their managers handle them.
The head should be very sensitive when using his/her authority. Heavy handed use of authority is often unproductive. Teachers should not fear their manager. Instead, they should respect him.
In our education system, it is the human resources, i.e. teaching and non-teaching staff, which consume the most resources, i.e. most of the money budgeted for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education goes to the payment of teachers’ salaries. Recently, I was looking at one of secondary boarding school’s budget. I also noticed that a large amount of money had been budgeted for the payment of non-teaching staff salaries. It is therefore imperative that managers create and maintain conditions and an atmosphere in which people are motivated and work with a sense of purpose.
Suggestions on how managers can handle teaching and non-teaching staff
• Spend some time to know the people for whom you have a management responsibility. Take time to find about their professional skills and experience. A few well-chosen words can show someone that you are aware of their difficulties either at home or at school.
• Communicate and explain things clearly. On communication, Martin Luther King Jnr had this to say, ”People hate each other because they do not communicate. They do not communicate because they are far apart,” The manager should ensure that the subordinates know what they are supposed to do and what is expected of them.
• Allow plenty of opportunity for exchange of ideas and views. This can be done in staff meetings or during tea break in the staffroom.
• Be prepared and able to take decisions. Once made, decisions do not necessarily have to be as the Law of the Medes and the Persians.
• Cultivate a calm and positive image by staying cool and training yourself not to lose temper. If you lose temper you become very unreasonable. One of the dishonest tricks of winning an argument is to make the person angry. Once a person loses temper, they become unreasonable and will not be able to convince anybody professionally.
• Lead by example. You cannot expect other people to do what you are not prepared to do. The manager should be available at his work place in time (punctuality).
• Be considerate when handling other people; treat them as you would want to be treated.
• Avoid favouritism. At one school where I once taught, the head’s wife never submitted her scheme book to the head. Her plan book – if it was there – was not even updated. When the teachers got to know about it through the grape vine, they too began to take it with less seriousness and the District Education Officer had to intervene in order to normalise the situation.
• Listen to what the subordinates say. The ability to listen carefully and, where necessary, sympathetically is an important skill for any manager.
• Have words of encouragement all the time. Aways give credit where it is due and always go out of your way to give praise when it is deserved. When I was head at a certain primary school, I had two teacher who were former heads of schools who had been asked to relinquish their posts because of low academic and professional qualifications. Some people had told me that these two ex-heads were going to give me trouble. On the contrary, however, I discovered that they were the most co-operative pair. One of them was in charge of the school grounds and the other was in charge of the school choir. Each time I praised them for any achievement, they became very happy.
They would often show me some new things. Each time I came back to school after I had been away for some time, they would always show me something new and they ended up motivating other teachers. Subordinates need recognition, praise and encouragement.
In summary, the following points should be remembered in the management of human resources:
High level of communication, clarity, concern, interest, appreciation, encouragement, and support.
The writer is a retired educationist who served in the Ministry of Education for over 40 years. He was a teacher (1966-1974), school head at Nhamwi St Stanislaus School (1975-1984), DEO Chivi North (1985-1987), Chivi District Staffing Officer (1987-1993), Zaka Education Officer (1993-1996), Chivi Education Officer (1996-1999), Gutu DEO (1999-2008) and Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Education Secretary (2008-2015).
The writer can be Contacted on 0784 949 878
Chief Tshovani sends SOS over starving cattle
Chief Thsvovani
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Villagers in Chiredzi are likely to be among the hardest hit victims of the unravelling El Nino-induced severe drought, with many cattle owners selling their livestock to abattoirs at giveaway prices.
Chiredzi District has received little rainfall this season and pastures are diminishing, with people and livestock relying on few boreholes for water.
In some parts of Chiredzi North, thousands of villagers are driving their cattle for more than 20km to access grazing and water.
In 2015, villagers made heavy losses as they desperately sought to sell their cattle in face of another drought, and it is proving to be a similar predicament this time around.
In an interview, Chief Tshovani told TellZim News said villagers in his area were faced with a long period of hunger.
“Both people and livestock are at risk. Some are travelling distances to access water for their livestock. It’s a very bad situation that we face,” said Chief Tshovani.
The traditional leader pleaded for government help, saying villagers should be given subsidised molasses as a way of preserving the village economy and fight further extreme impoverishment of the vast countryside.
“We have been victims for many years and we are yet to recover from our previous losses. Many businesses made a killing buying our cattle at very low prices because we were desperate to avoid losing everything,” he said.
A farmer in the Rugare area of Chiredzi North said authorities could help by drilling more boreholes so that both humans and animals will not need to travel long distances just for water to drink.
“We are now like nomadic farmers travelling from place to place for water and pastures for our,” he said.
St Joseph’s High School is new talk in town
Courage Dutiro
St Joseph Tongoona High is the new talk of Zaka district after the school emerged among the top performers in both the November 2018 ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examinations.
The school registered a 96.8 percent pass rate at ‘A’ level and a relatively impressive 40 percent pass rate at ‘O’ level, making the council-run institution one of the best in the district.
The most outstanding teachers included Costain Chinounye (‘O’ level Biology) whose class recorded a clear 100 percent pass rate, and Mirriam Mapetere whose own class managed a cool 86.21 percent in ‘O’ level Commerce.
Other teachers namely David Chipezaya, Never Mukuhudzi, Elizabeth Chambara, Sibanda Sihlupekhile and Mercy Mavenga recorded over 60 percent pass rate in their respective subjects.
At ‘A’ level, deputy head David Chipezaya’s pupils achieved a 100 percent pass rate in Crop Science, and the same feat was repeated by Austin Chitambira’s Literature in English class.
Other teachers; Mbedzi Mashudu and Jairos Mapungwana also guided their pupils to a solid 100 percent in Shona and Divinity respectively.
St Joseph’s High School head, Daniel Muchingamidzwa said he was impressed by the results.
He attributed the good results to a spirit of hard work, commitment and dedication that exists among teachers, pupils and parents.
“We are happy with this achievement which is a culmination of tireless work and effort. We are glad that people are beginning to show more and more interest in our good name. I am doing my part, but that alone is not enough without the input of other stakeholders including my predecessor Mr. Chitambira who left for me a solid base on which to carry forward the work,” said Muchingamidzwa.
Former school head Chitambira left the school earlier this term to join Eddrovale College.
The school also has a flourishing fish farming project and a promising piggery which is set to become a critical income earner for the school once all things are in place.
Maronge seeks help for hailstorm ravaged village homes
Courage Dutiro
Masvingo South constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Claudius Maronge has called upon government, private companies and individuals to help people who were affected by severe hailstorms last year rebuild their homes.
Dozens of families in the constituency lost their homes and some possessions to powerful hailstorms that hit the area late last year, and most of them have not yet managed to rebuild as they do not have the resources.
Maronge told TellZim News that a total number of 90 homes were affected plus several other pieces of public infrastructure. He said building materials especially roofing sheets were the most important thing being sought for.
“This is a plea to all those with the means to help to come forward to the rescue of our fellow villagers in Masvingo South who fell victim to the vagaries of weather last year. They are still struggling to rebuild and nothing has taken shape as of now. It’s a pitiful sight so let us come together and help them rebuild,” said Maronge.
He said Ward 26 was the most affected and a number of homes were destroyed.
The hail storm destroyed asbestos roofs at Masvovi Clinic, Makumbe Primary Schools, Renco Mine Primary and Chitakai Primary School.
“At the moment, the civil aviation provided tents for the clinic but we need to look at permanent solutions for this problem. The Red Cross had promised to assist but we haven’t heard from them ever since they conducted a site visit,” said Maronge.
Effects of climate change felt in Zimbabwe
…MPs urged to take lead in finding solutions
Shingirai Vambe
HARARE – Members of Parliament (MPs) should take a lead in raising awareness on climate change as well as in finding solutions to the problem which is affecting millions of people in the country, it has been said.
Participants who attended a workshop on the state of the ozone layer and the unfolding climate change phenomena pointed the greater role that parliamentarians could play in efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
They said MPs had legislative authority to ratify such important agreements as the Kigali Agreement and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.
Deputy minister Douglas Karoro spoke at the event, saying Zimbabwe was a victim of climate change as characterised by extreme weather patterns such as high temperatures, droughts, late rains, prolonged intra-seasonal dry spells, intense and destructive storms.
“Zimbabwe, like the rest of the signatories to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, has submitted a set of actions that it would take to address the climate change problem. The country has indicated that it will reduce emissions from the energy sector by 33 percent per person by the year 2030 if international climate financial support was availed to fund key energy projects,” Karoro said.
Karoro said Zimbabwe was also proud to be a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“Zimbabwe has completely phased out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 2010 and has reduced the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 35 percent,” he said.
The ministry, Karoro said, will lobby parliament for the implementation of climate change legislation including the creation of a climate change fund, adding that will aid government’s efforts to access international climate finance which is expected to reach US$100 billion by 2020.
Poor waste management was cited as one of the prime causes of climate change, with one participant Elisha Moyo calling for efficient waste management strategies to reduce environmental damage.
Climate change negatively impacts on agricultural production, hydroelectric power-generation, water supply for human and industrial consumption, the health sector and it leads to the destruction of infrastructure.
MDC Alliance demands by-elections in two ‘vacant’ Mwenezi wards
Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC in the district is demanding that by-elections be held in two wards held by Zanu PF councillors who are practising teachers.
In the 2018 harmonised elections, Ward 6 was won by the ruling party’s Jorum Ncube who is a headmaster at Marinda Primary School while Ward 14 was won by Admire Matutu who is teacher-in-charge at Zvomupungu Primary School.
The two went on to be elected Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) chairperson and vice chairperson respectively.
The law requires that elected officials should not be employed in the civil service but the two have chosen only to resign on paper and still carry on with their teaching jobs.
The MDC insist the councillors were acting illegally and their wards should be declared vacant so that by-elections can be called.
MDC Alliance Mwenezi West district chairperson, Amos Hungwe told TellZim News his party was taking measures to have the wards declared vacant.
“By-elections must be conducted in wards 6 and 14 because the sitting councillors there are practising teachers. This is contrary to the country’s constitution. On Wednesday (January 30) we are going the have a meeting with the Mwenezi RDC CEO over that issue. Besides that, we are also going to engage all other stakeholders over the issue,” said Hungwe.
Reliable sources said despite the fact that the two councillors tendered their resignation letter’s sometime soon after the July elections, where they merely opted to remain teachers, the two have for all along been reportedly shielded by the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira.
The case is yet again another litmus test for the current administration’s commitment to the rule of law. During former President Robert Mugabe’s rule, cases where a civil servant would double as a councillor were rampant in Mwenezi district.
Gweru hands over proceeds of mayor’s cheer fund
The handover ceremony of grocery vouchers to disadvantaged people under the Gweru mayor’s cheer fund
Tinaani Nyabereka
GWERU – Proceeds from the 2018 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund brought relief to many people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups last Friday after OK grocery vouchers and cash was handed over to them at the Civic Centre.
One of the beneficiaries was Faith Shingaidzo Chikaviro of Ward 4 who said her $50 grocery voucher will make her life better for the coming few weeks.
“I am disabled so I can’t do enough for the family. This will help us a lot and I hope it doesn’t end here,” said Chikaviro, whose mother is blind.
In his remarks, City of Gweru mayor, Josiah Makombe thanked partners who made donations in cash and kind, saying their contributions were making a big difference in the lives of the poor.
“I am grateful to those who made contributions to the fund because they have taken us this far. They have remembered the elderly, people with disabilities and our children’s homes,” said Makombe.
He said the facility raised $45 000, adding that some of the money will be channelled to a project to help female school children access sanitary wear.
“Around 500-600 people have received vouchers today and we are going to launch a sanitary wear programme for the girl child in our schools. We know the challenges that female pupils face in the difficult economic conditions we face,” said Makombe.
Bluehills Children’s Centre, Midlands Children’s Home, Zimcare Trust and St Daniel’s Centre received $300 in cash each.
The story behind St Anthony’s excellence
Staff Reporter
ZAKA – For the Catholic-run St Anthony’s Musiso High School, excellence is a tradition that has defined the larger part of its glorious performance over the years.
The school recorded a 99.6 percent pass rate in the November 2018 ‘A’ level examination, one of the highest score for all schools in the province.
Of the 106 pupils who sat for at least two subjects at ‘A’ level, 75 of them recorded 10 points or better.
In History, Additional Maths, Building Technology and Design, Literature in English, Crop Science, Economics and Family and Religious Studies, the school recorded a clean 100 percent pass rate.
At ‘O’ level, 65 pupils scored five As and above, with one pupil Prince Matekera scored 11As. Five pupils had 10As, while five more had 9 As. A total of 18 other pupils managed to get 8As, 11 had seven As, 10 had 6As and 15 had 6As.
St Antony’s Musiso High head, Joram Mawana said the school’s success was a result team work, effective communication and discipline on the part of both teachers and the pupils.
“Our success is hinged on team work, dialogue and above all the disciplined disposition of all learners, staff and administration. Everybody has a strong desire to do well and set the bar high,” said Mawana.
He praised parents and guardians for their commitment to the development of the school and its growth as a place of academic repute.
“The administration works closely with other stakeholders like the school development committee and education authorities as well as the responsible authority. We have an excellent relationship with the community that hosts us, and that explains our good reputation,” Mawana said.