The Progressive Teachers` Union of Zimbabwe after consulting parents, its membership and pupils in all the ten (10) provinces and other critical stakeholders in the whole country was left with no option, but to reject the National Pledge in its entirety, which the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazarus Dokora is expected to launch on May 3, 2016 as part of a raft of curriculum reforms and implementation expected soon.

Raymond Majongwe ( PTUZ Secretary-General said the National Pledge is ultra vires the country`s National Constitution`s fundamental freedoms namely the freedom of conscience considering that Zimbabwe respects all faiths.

“Reference is made to section 60 (2), which aptly forbids anyone from being compelled to make an oath that is contrary to his/her religious conviction and beliefs; there was no consultation of all stakeholders, therefore, it is not binding to all and sundry given the flawed process prior to its promulgation; there were no known competitions held, which were invited in drafting the National Pledge as was the case prior to the adoption of our current national anthem in 1994;” he said.

“This is not really a priority area given that teachers still have deplorable salaries and conditions of service thirty-six (36) years after independence; educational infrastructure in most schools in the country is still below regional and international standards; it is reminiscent of the National Youth Service and ` Patriotic History’, which were introduced to indoctrinate the youths and suffered stiff resistance from many sections of the society. As such, bringing cold and calculated educational vandalism through the backdoor is unacceptable; and the National Pledge is incapable of performance and keeping by the young children given their lower cognitive level of development.”

He said it is segregatory and discriminatory as children of most political gladiators behind it learn outside this country.

“If it was a necessary priority for everyone, no-one was is supposed to be excluded from reciting it from the highest office in the land right to the common man/ woman; it is noteworthy that Zimbabwe is a signatory to the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with an educational slant on public quality education for all and skills revolution. On the contrary, the national pledge does not in any way resonate with this and neither does it show how it can help to increase the number of youths and adults with relevant skills (including technical and vocational skills) for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship,”Majongwe said.

“Neither does the pledge reflect how it may transform the current 92% dysfunctional literacy rate to functional literacy so as to enhance industrial development and national glory; and notwithstanding the envisaged good intentions to promote patriotism among the citizenry, it falls short of broad national and educational relevance, regional and international best practices.”by Stephen Jakes. Source: Byo24News.

photo-Raymond Majongwe-PTUZ Secretary-General