ARTUZ Leader Masaraure Condemns Govt's Holiday Les...

ARTUZ Leader Masaraure Condemns Govt's Holiday Lesson Plan

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The National President of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Obert Masaraure, has strongly criticized the government's holiday lesson plan, labeling it as a form of "systematic exclusion" that marginalizes the poor. In a statement, Masaraure claimed the initiative "is being entrenched and legitimized by the elites." He warned that "if nothing is done soon it will become normal for the poor to be denied education, water, healthcare, housing and above all human dignity." He further asserted that "the poor are treated worse than dogs."

Masaraure lamented the lack of unity among the marginalized and called for a revival of the "spirit of liberation." He argued that the current leadership, whom he referred to as "rogue former liberation leaders," has "dispossessed us of all that was promised by the liberation movement." He concluded his statement by calling for a "Coalition of the Dispossessed" to "wage a relentless class struggle against the tyranny of the elites."

The government's plan is outlined in Secretary's Circular Number 4 of 2025, which amends the "VACATION SCHOOL FOR EXAMINATION CLASSES, GRADE 7, FORM FOUR AND FORM SIX; AUGUST 2025 HOLIDAY." The circular was issued by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on August 4, 2025. According to the circular, the vacation school is intended to "ensure the continuity of learning at all times including in emergencies." The ministry justifies the program by stating that "the design of the annual school calendar takes into consideration the need for pupils to have an anchor during the long mid-year holiday." It also cites the need for a "paradigm shift" in the education system, noting that "the Competence-based Curriculum has transformed the role of teachers from being the prime source of information to being facilitators of knowledge."

The circular also details the financial implications for parents. For day schools, the ministry states, "Primary schools will charge US2.00 per Learning Area per Grade 7 pupil,or an equivalent bank rate in Zimbabwe Gold currency,"while"SecondaryschoolswillchargeUS3.00 per Learning Area for Form Four and Form Six pupils." For boarding schools, the fee is US$45.00 per day for "upkeep during the vacation school period or the equivalent bank rate in Zimbabwe Gold Currency."

The circular also emphasizes that "the Vacation School should be fully supervised and monitored by the Inspectorate." The ministry's conclusion reads: "The Ministry looks forward to improving pupil performance through the running of the vacation school as it will give a superior environment for learners to prepare for their upcoming examinations." It adds that "candidates should be assisted to cover a significant portion of the syllabus recently and should be inducted to the requirements of the Continuous Assessment activities."