Primary and Secondary Education Minister Evelyn Ndlovu has criticised “black” school teachers who are allegedly performing some Continuous Assessment Learning Activity (CALA) tasks for their pupils for cash.
Responding to MDC Alliance MP Edwin Mushoriwa in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Ndlovu said the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) should intervene and restrain the corrupt teachers.
Mushoriwa had said the corrupt practice by some teachers threaten to “downgrade” the country’s education if it is not dealt with decisively. In response, Ndlovu said:
There is the risk of downgrading. Yes, but I think we really need to engage the Anti-Corruption Commission.
I have said that even in Cabinet that as Zimbabweans, we should learn to respect ourselves.
The culture of wanting too much money every time and being greedy is a problem in our society. It is the same when you look at our cities.
So I think it is the cultural mindset change among our people that is needed to make sure that you do not cheat.
You are cheating the child and tomorrow that child will be destitute because when he/she goes to university, he/she will fail.
I do not understand why a black woman or black teacher should sabotage a child by doing work for them.
Ndlovu said ZACC should go into schools to identify the culprits. She also implored parents and guardians who have information about the alleged corrupt tendencies of teachers to report to the ministry.
CALA is a government programme, which is part of the new curriculum that requires learners to perform, and demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and proficiency in their learning areas before the main exam.
Under the regime, ZIMSEC candidates’ academic aptitude is assessed continuously (coursework) to contribute 30 per cent to their final marks.
The framework is being implemented on Grade 7, Form 4 and Upper 6 candidates.