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My position on ECD was misunderstood, says Mavima

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Professor Paul Mavima

Upenyu Chaota

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Paul Mavima has been on the receiving end of the wrath from teachers’ unions after it was reported that he had said government was no longer footing the Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers’ salary bill.
He has however come out defending his position which he said was misunderstood by the people.
It was recently reported that Prof Mavima wanted schools offering ECD to pay their teachers themselves as he claimed that the government could no longer afford.
“People have misunderstood the government’s position on ECD teachers. We never said the government was surrendering the responsibility of ECD teachers to schools but that the government has halted the recruitment of more such teachers.
“We are in need of more than 6 000 ECD teachers but in the 2018 budget, that is not catered for. That is why we said those schools who feel the need to employ more ECD teachers at their own expense can do so. The government will be taking care only of those who are already in the system,” said Prof Mavima.
He said schools will continue to offer ECD both A and B.
“The Finance minister said if the fiscal situation improves, we will then be able to recruit more teachers and pay them. We are currently making an assessment of how many schools have the capacity to employ their own ECD teachers.
“We are still committed to the nine years of primary education,” said Prof Mavima.education

One year on, Edrrovale gets better

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Pupils playing one the of the many indoor games available at the school

…free meals, transport for scholars

TellZim Reporter

Edrrovale College, undoubtedly the most prestigious of all high schools in Masvingo province and probably the most magnificent in the whole country, commemorates its first anniversary with a wide range of new packages for its students.
Situated some 18km from town, a distance negligible enough to keep one close to the conveniences of the city yet long enough to keep them away from the annoying bustles of the same, Edrrovale College is the ultimate dream for the parent most concerned with the best learning conditions for his child.
The school has got into 2018 with an all inclusive package for its day scholars.
The generous package covers a daily transport service by school bus to and from Edrrovale College as well as midmorning and afternoon teas/refreshments and sandwiches. As if that is not enough, all day scholars enjoy a dietician-approved lunch.
Enrolling a child with Edrrovale College therefore means that parents would need not worry about where to get pocket money/lunch for their child. It also means a substantial cut back on transport costs as that is covered by the school’s shuttle service.
For US$1 200 per term for day scholars, no other school offers services of that nature at such a reasonable cost. What that means therefore is that Edrrovale College has already carved for itself an identity as a place which guarantees quality education accompanied by a wholesome provision of the childs physiological needs, all under a welcoming environment.
For $2,500 fulltime boarders get a complete package of services that give them room to enjoy a home away from home; partaking their studies in neat classrooms and taking their rest in rooms that are equipped with unmatched comfort.
To achieve a complete nurturing of body and mind, the students undertake sporting activities giving each child a chance to excel in any extra-curricular activity of his/her choice; be it golf, tennis, cricket, football, netball, basketball,rugby etc.
The state of the art 65 seater Eddrovale College bus picks up day scholars at the 7 Hellet Street at 06:30hrs and drops them off in the evening at the same point at 17: 00hrs.education

Mamak Pre-school brings army band to Chiredzi

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Part of the proceedings at the Mamak Pre-School graduation ceremony

Anesushe Mamhute

CHIREDZI – There was excitement and spectacle in town recently when Mamak Pre-School hired the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) 4 Brigade brass band to perform at the elementary school’s fifth graduation ceremony.
The well-drilled, Masvingo-based military band attracted a large crowd of excited members of the public who came either to witness the graduation of their children or to enjoy the melodious beats of the band.
A spectacular 5km march along West Road was held with people eager to walk alongside members of the military, a fashionable treat considering recent development in the country.
ZNA 4 Brigade music director of music Simon Munsaka took the lead in demonstrating the exceptional entertainment capabilities of the band.
People present praised Mamak Pre-School for continuing to make a big difference in the primary education sector of Chiredzi by producing highly capable pupils who fit into any primary school.
“Mamak remains second to none other pre-school in Chiredzi. The children who come out of this pre-school are the best,” said Shingai Primary School head Isaac Tamuka.
Another resident Simon Gutsa was pleased with the entertainment galore, saying the pre-school should continue its impressive work which he said had made it the elementary school of choice.
“I am impressed by both the presence of the band and the conduct of the children. The children are well-taught as evidenced by their excellent poetry skills as well as their mastery of other performances they staged in front of the people,” said Gutsa.education

Gutika Academy now enrolling examination classes

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Morgan Chisedzi

TellZim Reporter

CHIPINGE – The prestigious Gutika Academy Boarding School in Checheche, Chipinge has evolved full circle and, beginning this very term, is now enrolling examination classes.
The school opened its doors to the public last year and has charmed many with its holistic approach to education and affordable fee structure.
Day scholars pay $100 per term, day boarders pay $200 and full time boarders pay $550.
Gutika Academy Boarding School head Morgan Chisedzi said he was excited now that the school offers examination classes and guarantees quality results.
 “As you know, we started last year and we did not offer examination classes but starting this term we have a full package. Places are available for forms 1 to 6.
“We are getting pupils from all corners of Masvingo province, Manicaland province and Beitbridge. We want to thank the community for its continued support,” said Chisedzi.
He said he was humbled by the support coming particularly from the Renco Mine community.education

Zanu PF wants 90% of registered voters

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Rtd Lt Gen Engelbert Rugeje

Upenyu Chaota

Zanu PF has set its sights on the targeted 800 000 registrants through the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) in Masvingo province, saying it wants 90 percent of the voters and will leave nothing to chance in the quest to achieve the goal in elections scheduled for this year.
The Zimbabwe electoral Commission (Zec) targets to register at least 800 000 voters in Masvingo province by the time the exercise closes in February.
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira said 90 percent of the registrants in Masvingo should vote for the ruling party.
“We want a resounding victory just like we did in 2013. All the 26 parliamentary seats should be retained by Zanu PF and we will deliver on that.
“President Mnangagwa is our candidate and we need to make sure that we get the votes of the 90 percent of the registrants in Masvingo province,” said Chadzamira.
He praised the appointment of Rtd Lt Gen Engelbert Rugeje as national political commissar, saying the former military man was a good strategist.
“Gen Rugeje has been very instrumental in bringing the 26 seats to Zanu PF in 2013. With him leading the commissariat, it will be an easy victory. We need all the votes so that the opposition will see no need to exist,” said Chadzamira.politics

Abomination: Sex at funeral pair earns disgrace

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Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Mourners were left disgusted by a man from Gweru who was caught having sex with another woman at his own wife’s funeral in Makondo two weeks ago.
Luscious Chiturumani came to Chiredzi to bury his wife Sibongile Mthetwa who died reportedly after a short illness. Sources said he was accompanied by another woman whom he introduced to the bereaved family as his niece and he was received with respect meriting a son-in-law.
The deceased was buried in Chiredzi at her parents’ place in accordance with the burial custom for married woman who die before full bride price has been paid for them.
The two were then given a house where they were supposed to sleep in separate rooms. TellZim News learnt that the young man who had been assigned to show them their sleeping places forgot to give them blankets. He then returned with the blankets but only to be shocked seeing the pair in one room naked.
An eye witness who spoke to TellZim News said the young man sounded no alarm despite being utterly shocked by the immoral act.
He then calmly alerted other mourners and many people went to the room to witness the abomination for themselves
“Chiturumani lied that the woman who accompanied him was his niece and both of them were treated with respect only to do something so shameful. The two were thoroughly beaten but they managed to escape into a car and drive back to Gweru half naked,” said the mourner.local

Mwenezi cop looks after seven women

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Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Alfred Kudenga, a police officer based at Rutenga Police Station, besides currently taking care of his two wives, is also looking after five other children whom he sired from five different women, the Mwenezi Civil Court recently heard.
Kudenga dragged Brenda Moyo to the civil court seeking the reduction of the US$70 maintenance money he is currently paying for the upkeep of their two-year old child.
Through his defence lawyer Kossam Chuma, Kudenga argued that considering the large number of his dependents, the monthly maintenance he gave to Moyo was too high. He said it was reasonable that it be reduced to US$30 per month.
Chuma, who in his defence attached some of the birth certificates of Kudenga’s children from five different mothers, pointed out that his client – besides shouldering the responsibility of looking after the five children – was also currently catering for two wives.
Taking into consideration Kudenga’s responsibility, magistrate Langton Ndokera consented to the defence lawyer’s submissions and ordered the reduction of the monthly maintenance that was being received by Moyo to US$30 per month.local

Save Valley Conservancy illegal settlers must stay put: Zanu PF

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Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Zanu PF Masvingo provincial secretary for information, Ronald Ndava says with an election around the corner, it would be foolhardy for government to relocate the more than 15 000 people who illegally settled in Save Valley Conservancy.
The conservancy, located in south-eastern Lowveld bordering Save River to the east, is one of the largest private game reserves in Africa.
It comprises 750 000 acres of diverse wildlife habitat but was invaded by thousands of land-hungry people at the height of the Land Reform Programme in the early 2000s. The settlers have resolutely resisted calls for them to leave or to be relocated.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) recently conducted a survey as part of plans to fence off the conservancy and relocate the people.
The process, however, came to a halt after the Provincial Administrator (PA) Fungai Mbetsa distanced himself from the process reportedly due to pressure from ruling party politicians who feared the settlers would avenge themselves by voting for the opposition.
Speaking to TellZim News, Ndava said authorities must, instead, relocate animals to other large wildlife habitats such as Gonarezhou National Park and Malilangwe Conservancy.
He attacked the European Union (EU), the biggest donor in conservation efforts in the Lowveld, for trying to use its money to stampede government into toeing its own line.
“Our primary concern is people, not animals. We heard that the Provincial Administrator was complaining that everything was happening behind his back and without his knowledge.
“We have better places to relocate those animals; such places as Gonarezhou and Malilangwe. We will never support the prioritisation of animals over people. It is government which resettled those people and it won’t make sense to reverse that in favour of the European Union position,” said Ndava
Save Valley Conservancy houses most of Southern Africa’s prime game species including ‘The Big Five’ (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino).local

School heads fume at minister

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Professor Paul Mavima

…say new curriculum exposes girl child to sexual abuse

Upenyu Chaota

MASVINGO – School heads have expressed concern with the new curriculum which they say exposes the girl child to abuse in the name of carrying out tasks.
Presenting their grievances to the minister of education Professor Paul Mavima at a symposium held at Civic Centre, school heads represented by Masvingo Christian College head Edison Muresherwa said the new curriculum was alright but there were some grey areas which needed serious review.
“We understand the concept of tasks was borrowed from universities. At university level, you find that students do about 36 modules and they only do one research.
“The same should apply to our pupils whom we feel need to do one task to avoid the situation whereby they loiter around town during learning hours,” said Muresherwa.
He said the safety of the children particularly the girl child is not guaranteed when they visit various offices exposing them to various forms of abuses.
“At my school, I have erected a security wall to keep all my pupils inside and safe but because we have to send them out on a regular basis to do various tasks, they are now vulnerable.
“We have heard of situations where our girls are told to return after working hours so that they can be assisted. Innocently our girls would go but what if something bad happens? Who will shoulder the blame?
“We need this area to be reviewed because the tasks are taking most time for our pupils,” said Muresherwa.
Prof Mavima however said the education system of Zimbabwe was of late more on the theoretical side hence producing people who were not compatible with the practical world.
“You are not the first to raise the issue of tasks. Our education system was too theoretical. We want to create people who are innovative and can fit into the practical world. This can only be possible if we start at an early age.
“We cannot abandon tasks. We can always find a way to deal with the security of our children. No policy is perfect hence we need to continue to make adjustments until everyone is happy,” said Prof Mavima.top news

Lacoste Chiredzi not yet done with G40

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Kalisto Gwanetsa

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Though President Emmerson Mnangagwa has preached unity and urged his supporters to shun retribution, bitter Zanu PF members who suffered victimisation at the hands of G40 before Operation Restore Legacy still want to revenge.
The bitterest of these people include Ailes Baloyi, Jevas Masosota and Ronald Ndava and they want to get rid of Members of Parliament (MPs) Kalisto Gwanetsa (Chiredzi South), Darlington Chiwa (Chiredzi West) and Denford Masiya (Chiredzi East).
Baloyi, Masosota and Ndava were severely victimised and later ‘expelled’ when Dr Paul Chimedza, Chiwa and Amasa Nhenjana took full control of the province weeks before the military operation.
They are now reportedly holding private meetings to map a strategy that will lead to the expulsion of the three from the party.
Baloyi, who is the Zanu PF provincial vice chairperson and Chiredzi South aspiring MP, told TellZim News in a telephone interview that the party must effectively rid itself of members of the defeated G40 cabal.
“We should never associate with these people who pushed for our expulsion from the party.  If it wasn’t for the ZDF, we could be talking something else now. Their actions should never go unchallenged,” said Baloyi.
Ndava, who is the provincial secretary for information, also expressed the same sentiments saying justice should prevail.
 “A few months ago, those people who are complaining now were dismissing the so-called Team Lacoste and we never complained. Now that the tables have turned, they are now complaining, why?” said Ndava.
However, Gwanetsa said he had no time to quarrel with people who want him expelled from the party.
“I don’t have time to quarrel with people. Why does he want me expelled while my term of office is almost over? What does he fear? Let the people decide their fate,” said Gwanetsa, referring to Baloyi.
Last week, Zanu PF national political commissar Rtd Lt Gen Engelbert Rugeje said the party may forgive but will not forget, warning that those who have been forgiven for their G40 links must not go around boasting that they were untouchable.politics