Acting headmasters manning 80% of Zimbabwe schools

Close to 80% of school headmasters countrywide are in an acting capacity because the educators aspiring to fill the posts do not have the requisite qualifications, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said yesterday.

Most education officials at district and provincial offices are also serving in an acting capacity as the freeze on vacant posts by Treasury is affecting the education system.

Some teachers have been acting headmasters for over 12 years.

This has compromised the administration of most schools countrywide, leading to low pass rates.

Government has 3 318 posts with substantive headmasters in primary schools and 1 109 filled posts in secondary schools.

This is against over 8 000 primary and secondary schools in the country, including satellite centres.