Centralization of STEM registration in Matabeleland unfair for students

While the STEM registration has been devolved to provinces for other 7 provinces of Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Midlands; it is sad to note that the centralization of the registration in Matabeleland will greatly disenfranchise and disadvantage the children of Matabeleland who wish to be part of the STEM programme.

As Campaigners for Devolution we therefore:

1. Encouraged the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education and the government of Zimbabwe to abide by the detects of the Constitution of Zimbabwe especially Chapter 1 Section 13(d), Section 14(1), Section 18(2) and Section 19 (1) and (2)(d) which emphasize fair regional representation and fairness in development initiatives;

2. Encourage the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education to devolve the STEM registration in Matabeleland to provincial levels like is done in other provinces of Zimbabwe.

Our call is based on: a) The principles of equity, equality, fairness and justice considering that the current arrangement will heavily disadvantage the children of Matabeleland who will be forced to travel long distances to Bulawayo for registration, thus spend more money on transport and accommodation logistics.

b) Considering that some families in both Matabeleland South and North may not be having accommodation facilities in Bulawayo and may not be having enough money to transport children to Bulawayo, this will mean the students will not be able to register for STEM.

c) Realizing that currently Matabeleland North and South provinces are facing acute droughts that have depleted the citizen economic welfare and rights. This situation means the citizens from these provinces have no enough money to spend.

Mayibuye I – Devolution.

(…Devolution Now Campaign)
Campaigners for Devolution
Email: devolutioncampaign@gmail.com