The ManicaPost
Shame Isaki, Post Correspondent
SCHOOLS will be opening next week. It is a new year, but challenges of the past year are still upon us.
It is not a secret that almost everyone is feeling the economic bite.
The generality of the populace is groaning and institutions have not been spared either.
Among institutions, the most affected have been schools.
They are not in business, so there are no profits to talk about.
If there is a difficult job at the moment, it is that of a headmaster because the school head is personally struggling to make ends meet at a time he or she has to provide leadership to an institution being funded by equally struggling parents.
In a hyperinflationary environment like ours running schools is a nightmare.
On the one hand, the headmaster’s performance is measured by the results that students enrolled at the school attain.
He is also assessed on the development done at the school.
On the other hand, in this environment the school cannot dare chase the inflationary trend lest there be an outcry from the parents.
Government has now and again warned schools heads and SDCs against unilateral and unapproved school fees increases and simultaneously demand results from the same heads and their schools.
This calls for shrewd and strategic thinking among school heads and SDCs.
Government will not allow student to be turned away due to non-payment of school fees.
In another vein authorities, while complying, will be saying how can we run the schools without funds?
The Zimbabwe Constitution says education is a basic right, meaning it cannot be alienated.
In fact, primary education in Zimbabwe should be free.
Boarding schools have been affected most because they need to replenish their pantries but they cannot keep up with the inflationary trend and price increases but still results are demanded.
It is in view of the above facts that instead of always scanning for the negatives in the education sector, we also need to appreciate the good that is happening.
Headmasters are in essence the chief executive officers (CEOs) of schools and the work they are doing to navigate this harsh economic environment and at the same time produce good results should be commended and applauded.
Schools, especially those in Manicaland, have been scoring good academic results despite the harsh operating environment.
For example, St Faith’s High School, Marist Brothers, Bonda Girls’ High, St Dominic’s High are some of the consistent achievers and of late the primary schools have also joined in in performing well.
John Cowie, Chancellor, Baring and others have delivered incredible Grade 7 results.
While no system can be perfect, we should be wary of being overly negative lest we demoralise those that sacrifice their lives to educate and inform our children.
The transition from the old curriculum to the new curriculum cannot be also overlooked.
This new curriculum was introduced at a time when the economy was nosediving, with both Government, schools and the parents constrained of resources but still schools have taken this challenge in their stride.
The crucial aspects of the new curriculum which seek to identify and nurture individual talents and gifts in students over and above academic achievements cannot have results overnight.
The academic aspect has always been in existence and so measuring its success or failures is simple but life skills, talents and gifts need time for identification, nurturing, developing and perfecting but meanwhile we cannot stop celebrating those who are excelling academically.
