The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) welcomed the move by new President Emmerson Mnangagwa to streamline ministry and cut on the size of cabinet. The union has consistently called for the creation of one ministry of education with a number of departments for primary, secondary and tertiary education.
Further, cabinet had become a feeding trough which Mugabe used to reward loyalists, relatives and factions as and when it suited him. By cutting on the ministries and having competent personnel at the top millions of dollars will be saved which can be channeled towards provision of basic social services such as education.
In addition to a lean cabinet, the union proposes that the perks of Ministers be cut so as to save money which was often blown purchasing top of the range vehicles at the expense of service delivery.
The union further appreciates the anti-corruption stance taken by the new President. Corruption is a serious scourge which has undermined the attainment of crucial socio-economic rights provided for in the constitution. The union has consistently called for an end to corruption which has seen millions being siphoned out of the education system by greedy elements like former ministers Lazarus Dokora and Jonathan Moyo.
ARTUZ recommends that part of the funds recovered from looters be set aside and form the basis of an Education Equalisation Fund which will be utilized to fund free basic education, infrastructure development in schools, schools computerization programmes and electrification of all schools in rural areas.
Source: Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)
