Focus On Policy, Not Just Power

Posted to the web 10 October 2008 THE announcement this week that the government is deferring the writing of Grade 7 examinations to the end of the month epitomises the unprecedented level of state dysfunction as a result of the political paralysis that has affected the economy over the past decade. The falling education standards are taking root when the country's main political protagonists -- President Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF and the leaders of the two MDC formations Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara -- are haggling over cabinet posts under the unity government agreement they inked on September 15. Among the objectives of the inclusive government once it becomes operational is to revive the education and health delivery systems and above all the economy. The amount of work to hand is enormous for the proposed unity... [read full story]