Teachers to face incompetence charges

Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, is planning to impose incompetence charges on teachers, who have recorded a zero percent pass rate.

The affected teachers are those who, over the past five years, have achieved zero percent pass rates, particularly in subjects such as Heritage Studies, Geography, Combined Science and Mathematics.

In the Ministry, incompetence is considered a dischargeable offence.

In a circular addressed to Bulilima District Secondary School Heads, Bulilima District Schools Inspector (DSI) Mr Gobile Gobile, highlighted that over 15 teachers across various schools have recorded zero percent pass rates in the past five years.

“Heads please, may I have the results, marks schedules for August examinations (mid-year examinations) from the teachers in charge of the subjects below. The schedules should be signed and commented on by the head of the school.

“Schools of focus that have recorded zero pass rate in the past five years include Zenzele (Heritage Studies; Geography; Combined Science; Mathematics), Ntunungwe (Mathematics), Mzwanyana (Agriculture; Commerce; English; Combined Science), Mazwaligwe (Agriculture; Geography), Maqhekeni (Mathematics), Madlambudzi (Combined Science), Himago (Mathematics), Matjinge (Mathematics) and Siyaphambili (Mathematics),” said Mr Gobile.

“Heads of schools listed above should go through the pupils’ answer scripts and attach a detailed report to the subject marks schedule.

“Any zero percent record from the teachers this year will attract a charge for incompetence that will result in member’s discharge from service.

“For the past five years, teachers of above subjects have been scoring zero percent and that can’t be tolerated anymore.”

Last year, Members of Parliament called for the demotion of heads of schools recording zero percent pass rates, among other punitive measures proposed for the Government to impose.

The legislators noted that some better-resourced schools are performing dismally compared to those struggling to get resources.

@mthabisi_mthire