The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara
If the intense debate surrounding the introduction of the National Pledge in schools was a boxing match, then those that are advocating for the initiative would have won by a unanimous decision.
The raging debate on the initiative has given indications that Zimbabweans are in total agreement with the recitation of the National Pledge in schools.
Ordinary citizens, educationists and analysts all hailed the initiative as the hallmark of patriotism that unifies and reinforces national values and ethos.
The National Pledge is part of the recommendations of the 1999 Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Education.
Some stakeholders have, however, expressed their reservations on the pledge, with a parent mounting a Constitutional challenge arguing that his children must not be compelled to recite the pledge. Opposition to the pledge seems to be emanating from the way the initiative was introduced to the stakeholders.
Some of the stakeholders are alleging that Dr Lazarus Dokora, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education “ambushed” and “dumped” the National Pledge on them.
Mr Ishmael Mukwena of Harare questioned how the ministry came up with the pledge.
“Government should have used the criteria which was used to come up with the national anthem. Zimbabweans were invited to come up with the anthem and the person who was adjudged to have provided the best in terms of content was declared a winner.”
“The process leading to the national anthem was transparent. Now tell me, where did Minister Dokora get the National Pledge?,” Mr Mukwena asked.
Mr Mukwena said Minister Dokora is forcing the pledge on the people.
“There is a real risk that the pledge will not be recited as often as it is intended. It will die a natural death.”
Dr Takavafira Zhou, the president of the Professional Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), said the National Pledge is a noble initiative.
He, however, said the Minister erred by not consulting stakeholders.
“There is nothing wrong with the National Pledge. The current debate emanated from the way the initiative was introduced to the people. The mechanics of coming up with the pledge excluded stakeholders,” Dr Zhou said.
He said a committee should have been appointed to come up with the pledge and the selection process should have been done in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.
Dr Zhou said the National Pledge is not, at the moment, a priority.
“In my view, the Agenda 2030, which seeks to provide education for all by 2030 and also to bring a skills revolution, is the major priority area. The pledge does not bring in that aspect,” Dr Zhou said.
He added: “Personally, I don’t see the need for such a pledge. What we need now is a pledge against corruption.”
Mr Peter Kwaira, a renowned educationist, encouraged debate on the National Pledge.
“Zimbabwe is a democratic country and people are free to air their views. When something new is introduced, that thing is prone to debate, people will always ask questions. We need the pledge to re-orient our people, most of whom are colonially-minded,” Mr Kwaira said.
He said the National Pledge will instil a sense of belonging in the youths. Mr Kwaira, like the majority of those that expressed their views regarding the pledge, said there was need for wide consultations before introducing it in schools. He, however, said there is still room for improvement.
“Government should have consulted widely. The Minister should have an open mind and leave room for debate and if possible, make reconsiderations,” added Mr Kwaira.
Mr Kwaira castigated some opponents of the pledge whom he said are being misled by some western backed non-governmental organisations.
“We cannot run our country using ideas from western backed NGOs. We must instil a sense of patriotism in our children and the pledge seeks to achieve just that. Those that are against the creation of national ethos must go and hang,” Mr Kwaira said.
The manner in which the National Pledge was handled has once again exposed the bitter/sweet relationship between Dr Dokora and stakeholders in the education sector.
Mr Maxwell Rafemoyo of the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe, is on record offering a possible answer to the nagging question of why most of Dr Dokora’s pronouncements often stir debate.
“The education ministry is an interesting portfolio. Like soccer, everyone wants to be a referee or the coach. In my view, Dr Dokora is doing well,” Mr Rafemoyo concluded.
Dr Zhou exonerated Dr Dokora, saying that there are many centres of power in the education sector.
“It is not Dr Dokora’s fault. He is just a face in the education sector. The Nziramasanga Commission rightly pointed out that there must be one education ministry with two departments,” added Dr Zhou.
Zimbabweans might need to take a cue from the United States of America citizens when it comes to being patriotic. Responding to the challenge by a parent who does not want his three school-going children to be compelled to recite the pledge, Dr Dokora said the recitation of the National Pledge in schools in not a prayer but a commitment that is necessary for nation building.
In his opposing affidavit filed at the Constitutional Court, Dr Dokora argued that the parent’s objection was misplaced and an indication that he did not fully understand and appreciate its wording.
He argued that the pledge does not, in any way, violate the constitutional rights of parents.
Furthermore, the minister also argued that the pledge is part of the recommendations of the 1999 Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Education and Training and any attempts to block its implementation are misplaced.
State Security Minister Kembo Mohadi weighed in saying contrary to some claims, the National Pledge was not a ZANU-PF thing and the country stood ready to go to war if need be defending the values espoused in the National Pledge. Americans show patriotism in many different ways such as volunteering, joining the armed forces and entering public service. The late Martin Luther King Jnr, an activist and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement espoused the need for Americans to be patriotic.
Martin Luther King said: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal’.”
National Pledge
Almighty God, in whose hands our future lies, I salute the national flag.
United in our diversity by our common desire for freedom, justice and equality.
Respecting the brave fathers and mothers who lost lives in the Chimurenga/Umvukela and national liberation struggles.
We are proud inheritors of our national resources.
We are proud creators and participants in our vibrant traditions and cultures.
We commit to honesty and the dignity of hard work.
