News / Education
Extra lessons ban backfires
23 Apr 2014 at 17:29hrs | Views
Parents with school-going children have accused the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of trying to reverse the gains made in the sector by banning extra lessons and incentives for teachers.
The recent government directive banning extra lessons has united teachers and parents, arguing that the move will not do the education sector any good.
Parents says the ministry's decision will undermine Zimbabwe's reputation as a leading education provider in Africa.
"We are the ones paying, so what is government's problem?" asked one parent.
The teachers say the move by the ministry smacks of hypocrisy considering that government had only said it will do so after ensuring adequate remuneration for them.
"It is not acceptable to remove these incentives. This will result in a set-back and disadvantage learners," said one teacher, who requested not to be named.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora justified the ban, arguing that the 13 weeks allocated in each term for learning were adequate for school children to grasp various concepts contained in their syllabi, hence there is no need for holding holiday or extra lessons.
Parents however have argued that it is not government's mandate to stop them from paying for extra lessons and they should be left to do so if they can afford to.
The recent government directive banning extra lessons has united teachers and parents, arguing that the move will not do the education sector any good.
Parents says the ministry's decision will undermine Zimbabwe's reputation as a leading education provider in Africa.
"We are the ones paying, so what is government's problem?" asked one parent.
"It is not acceptable to remove these incentives. This will result in a set-back and disadvantage learners," said one teacher, who requested not to be named.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora justified the ban, arguing that the 13 weeks allocated in each term for learning were adequate for school children to grasp various concepts contained in their syllabi, hence there is no need for holding holiday or extra lessons.
Parents however have argued that it is not government's mandate to stop them from paying for extra lessons and they should be left to do so if they can afford to.
Source - zbc