Outrage over STEM registration venues in Mat'land

A cross section of Matabeleland people have been irked by unveiling of just one office for aspiring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students to register.

Stem programme is being spearheaded by Higher and Tertiary Education ministry.

The Ministry last month announced that the government would pay full school and boarding fees for all pupils who register for science subjects at public schools at Advanced Level this year.

A total of $4 million has been set aside and will come from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund.

 However, it is the issue of one office that has angered people in Matabeland saying its amount to sabotage and marginalisation.

 "This is pure madness and sheer sabotage by Professor Jonathan Moyo and Government.

"Why do the region which has three provinces have students starveling to Bulawayo to register but other provinces have their own registration points," asked Monica Mkwananzi.

"What is wrong with Lupane for Matabeleland North and Gwanda for Matabeleland South?".

"We have always raised the marginalisation issues and Zanu PF just brush it aside, but what is this now. One registration venue for thousands of students," said Mbonisi Sithole.

" Why did they not lump Mashonaland East and West to be one registration centre,' he added .

DEVOLUTION CAMPAIGN ‏ @DevolutionC asked Moyo on twitter saying "ZIMSTEMREGISTRATION: Why no provincial STEM Registration centres in MatNorth & Mat South when all other provinces have registration centres?

Moyo responded saying "The former Ministry of Science & Technology did not have Science & Technology Officers there. We're correcting it!".

 Below is the list of registration venues and requirements :

Upon registration, students should take the following documents to the nearest Zimdef offices in the province where their A-Level school is located.

a) A certified copy of the result slip.

b) An admission letter from the school.

c) A certified copy of your birth certificate.

d) School invoices for tuition and boarding fees with banking details clearly stated.

e) School receipts if payment has already been made.

Location of registration Offices

a) Mashonaland East – Valla Building, Office 2A, Marondera. Contact: P Sithole – +263714467788

b) Mashonaland West – Makonde District Office opposite Training Centre, Office No 5, Chinhoyi. Contact: T. Mositafu – +263772310016

c) Mashonaland Central – Bindura University for Science Education. Public Services Training Centre Campus. Contact: M. Magomana +263772225597

d) Harare – ZIMDEF HQ, Stand No 18572, Off Mother Patrick Ave next to Rotten Row Magistrate Courts. Contact: N Masungo – +263715905038 and C Makoni – Tel: +2634780451/5

e) Manicaland – ZIMDEF Offices, 911 Fourth Ave. Mutare. Contact: S Muradzikwa – +263772761158; Zanele Tshabalala – +2632063677

f) Midlands – ZIMDEF Offices, First Floor First Mutual Life Centre, Robert Mugabe 5th Street, Gweru. Tel: +2635422830/9. Contact: A Kahle

g) Masvingo – ITTD Regional Office, Old Post Office, 35 Robert Mugabe Road. Tel: +2633962176. Contact: C Mutava

 – Mezzanine Floor, ZIMDEF House, 102 Fort Street. Contact: A Dube- 0714867558 and F Mbanga – Tel: +263974828/9