Zimpapers Logo

Minister Lazarus Dokora

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
CHURCHES have said they will petition Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko on the issue of the National Pledge if Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora does not listen to their demands. Reverend Useni Sibanda, the director of Christian Alliance said they had written to the minister requesting to meet him as the recital was against their Christian values.

“We want to have a dialogue with the minister. If the meeting with him doesn’t take place, we’ll engage VP Mphoko. We want the government to concentrate on more important things that bring development to the education sector,” he said.

Rev Sibanda said they were opposed to the pledge and their children would not recite it. “The fact that parents have been asked to present their children with presents means that it’s no longer a pledge but a ritual, which is against our Christian values. The constitution grants us the right to freedom of conscience, including the right not to be forced to make oaths or pledges,” said Rev Sibanda.

He said the pledge was creating unnecessary conflict between the government and parents. On Sunday, Education Ministry permanent secretary Sylvia Utete-Masango said the recital of the national pledge will go on as planned starting today.

“The words in the pledge talk about hard work, commitment and dignity, I don’t know if there are parents who don’t want honest and hardworking children. The words are derived from the constitution and means those who’re saying it’s wrong don’t support the constitution,” she said.

Utete-Masango said parents were consulted on the pledge during the curriculum review process. Brethren-in-Christ Church, which runs some of the top schools in Matabeleland region that include Matopo, Mtshabezi and Wanezi high schools said pupils at the schools will not recite the pledge.

In a statement the church said the pledge violates chapter 4, section 60 (2) of the Constitution that says “no person may be compelled to make an oath that is contrary to their rights or belief”, as well as chapter 2 section 19 subsection (3) (b) which says the state must take appropriate measures to ensure that children are not required to perform activities that place at risk their morals or spiritual development.