Abash Paid-For Tuitions Part 1

By Matongo Maumbi

Education is said to be the greatest link to literacy. I say education is one way of milking your mind out to suit those that are cheating or is it teaching you!

Likezo Muyoyeta debating during the
 African Schools Debating Championship in RSA 

My favourite era in my life was my first grade when I seldom went to school and even when I did, I seldom got into class to learn. Only I know how I did my homework without being in class. Oh I hated anyone who forced me to go to class.

I did all sorts of tricks just not to be in class - locking myself in the toilet/bathroom, hiding behind sofas, climbing wardrobes, hiding under drainage culverts, hiding my books, dirtying my uniform and just anything else that would keep me out of class.

It didn't take long for me to start liking school - somewhere in my third grade. I just made it a point that no girl should surpass me in any exam, and when they did, I worked extra hard to make sure am the best in class. Wow, where did I lose that touch!! When I qualified to go to Canisius, it was all boys and I just relaxed.

The point I am coming to now is the motivation my teachers gave me in my secondary school years. That personal couching which made each of us be a part of the class except in instances where one just hated the subject or worse off the teacher.

Every August at Canisius Secondary School, grade 12s were accorded a two-week study break. This was meant to give chance to teachers and pupils have extra lessons on subjects they still found hard to comprehend. Great teachers such as Peter Ng'andu 'Level' (RIP) for History, Uncle TG Matesamwa (RIP) for Principles of Accounts, Sitali (RIP) Sciences and Halale for mathematics accorded us their time, for free so that we  could fully understand the subject contents.

The zeal and determination to see to it that all pupils got good results motivated the teachers for free consultation whenever we would approach them. We also had that passion and brilliance of being in class to learn and not be spoon fed.

14years down the line, things have totally changed. Tuitions have become the order of the day, and worse off parents have to pay the teachers huge sums of money to have their children learn what they otherwise MUST learn in class.

The tuition system has invaded ALL schools in Zambia such that parents take it that that is the best way to have their children educated. Do we really need these paid for tuitions? Are we in for the business or the education?  

The good old days of dedicated teachers are a thing of the past. Gone are our days when dedicated teachers taught in the classroom and that was sufficient for the us to prepare for exams. When I was not sure of anything, my teacher would passionately offer to help me catch up either at school or at home. 

I like the stance taken by the Minister of Education in Kenya, Mutula Kilonzo, who has put it point blank that strong disciplinary action will be taken against any public or private school ignoring the directive abolishing holiday tuition.

"Professionally, extra coaching or tuition is given to learners who show weakness in certain subjects. Such learners need remedial teaching to compensate the lapses they suffer from in learning ability, compared with their classmates. This is what constitutes remedial teaching and does not involve payment by parents.

"This is part and parcel of the calling of a teacher. It is in fact a violation of the teachers' code of ethics to either provide extra tuition to such learners at a fee and/or, decline to provide it when payment is not forthcoming," he said.

How I wish the Minister of Education in Zambia would rise and utter such words instead of mere politicking insulting those in schools. Sha!

THE PROS of TUITIONS

• ·         A pupil is able to gain extra knowledge which he otherwise failed to learn in class.
• ·         Maximizes the pupils' time taking them away from vices
• ·         Pupils are able to study as groups to exchange knowledge, and test each other's ability through past questions.
• ·         Education becomes a thing for ALL and not just the rich

THE FLIP-SIDE

• ·         Parents are more financially burden as the tuitions of today are expensive.
• ·         Child proper learning becomes overshadowed by parent's desire to have good results no matter what
• ·         Pupils get pressured too much leading to social problems
• ·         Creativity and dedication from teachers is only seen where there is that extra money.
• ·         Best tips on exams are left for such tuitions as a marketing gimmick.

For the time-being, I end here as I gather more ammunition, and to give you room to argue or cement my argument....TB

Maid Of Honour

By Matongo Maumbi,

There has been growing outcry from all corners of the country on the latest increase on the minimum wage for domestic workers, aka MAIDS. How could the minister give them 100% plus when us we only got 14%? The maid does not deserve such a pay cos she does nothing in the house!

I am single and I do not need a maid per se. But listening to people go on selfishly on how the maid enjoys a lot of privileges at home just made realise how shallow thinking most of these are earning more money are.

I understand the cry of many and I appreciate it very much such that I pity them for having to be told that maids deserve better. The arguments that come are that the maid eats, baths and does everything from THE HOME, and even watches DSTV. 

That is very true and she very much deserves all that and even better. If it bothers you so much, it can help that you disconnect your DSTV service so that she no longer has to watch AND your children to having nothing to entertain them. Don't allow her to cook so she does not eat AND your children have nothing to eat as well. She should not bath so that no matter how much she bathes the children, they will still carry some dirt on them.

It's a bitter thing to accept by the stingy selfish so called employers but for the majority, and actually ALL, maids, this is what they deservedly need to earn and more. They have strong bonds with the children they are left to care for. 

I call them Maids Of Honour. They are honourable because the children get to learn a lot of things by socialising with the maids, the house gets to be cleaned by the maids, your husband's clothes get to be washed and ironed by the maids, there gets to be some one at home.

I sample two comments that have been posted on facebook (in protest):

looking for a washing machine before my maids approach me for increament. at least i can do the ironing on a daily basisWith this new minimum wage thing,maids will be employing maidsto look after their children

You can clearly tell how UNWELCOME this move by government is. And I hear of some who have already fired their maids who have finally demanded their fair share. 

Some have even taken great offence at this and wrote to maids:

Dear Domestic Worker,
With respect to the new minimum wage, your usage charge for DSTV, Food (breakfast, lunch and any snacks), water for your bath and electricity for charging your phone IN MY HOUSE will be at a cost of ZMK 250,000 per month. Please note that this will be recovered monthly from your new minimum wage.
Regards

And a Patrick Muzumbwe on Facebook wrote:

The Central Government should first create employment opportunities before increasing salary wages for general workers.This will cause more unemployment because employers will be employing less to combat the minimum wage increase.

I agree in totality with   My Frustrated Brotha:

We complain when Zambians are abused in mines, we complain when the shop workers are underpaid, we strike when our employers do not increase our pay, however, we forget the injustice that goes on in our very homes. Maids have no unions to speak on their behalf. No one hears their voices and nobody asks their opinion. Let us be honest, the reasons we have maids is so our lives can be a lot easier. Maids are usually expected to work six days a week. This is usually in an average household of six people. She is expected to wash for each individual, cook the meals, if there is a baby, babysit and do all the other chores the madam does not have time for. It is not an easy thing. Personally doing my own laundry is hell and if someone can do it on my behalf that is such a relief. Incredibly people still find a way to make their job insignificant and seem like a by the way thing that we can all do without if we choose.

Refusing to upgrade the pay of the Maids Of Honour only results from one who does not acknowledge the role that the maids play in the homes. If you so much do not want to pay the 522pin, at least you can pay 520pin and live with a peace of mind knowing your children have someone with them at home.

And as the Minister said, if you are aggrieved and can prove that you cannot afford to pay for such after declaring all your income, then please approach the ministry. Do not prey on the vulnerability of the many maids around the country. We are learned so that we help them out.

A domestic worker is a person who works within the employer's household. Domestic workers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to cleaning and household maintenance, known as housekeeping. Responsibilities may also include cooking, doing laundry and ironing, food shopping and other household errands. Some domestic workers live within the household where they work.

Government recently increased the minimum wage for domestic workers from K250,000 to K522,000 a move which has been received with mixed feelings from maid employers.

Mind you this is only a minimum, you may pay more or don't get one at all and note the difference. TB

Dreads Bring A Natural Smile

Having long hair has always been a hobby of mine. What better way to keep hair long than to lock it? Yes, locking the hair into great DREADlocks!!

School days were fun. Always wanting to be at loggerheads with the authorities. Unfortunately this never happened the way I wanted it to – to be punished for having extra long hair just like those that hard extra bald head.

I was known as Matrix from the time I was 8years as I was a genius in mathematics. At that time I never understood what matrix meant; only my teacher knew. Thanks to continued education, I got to know about it at senior secondary school.

By the time I was in senior school, I had a massive AFRO hair style – about 31cm long. Matrix had an afro. He came to be known as Afro, but soon he became both – AFROMATRIX. I must admit that I inspired a lot of mates to go the African way. Afros were becoming a tradition in the school.

After school, I got tired and trimmed the hair to the minimum, and trying to maintain a bald head. This didn’t work at all. It’s difficulty waking up every morning and having to comb the hair, style it and all sorts of things. After a few years – in May 2003 – I had my last hair cut.

Within a year my hair was back to it’s normal Afro status. Being inspired by Real Africans Standing Tall Actively, I just found my hair locking. Combing was no longer on the agenda, nature had to take its course. It’s pretty simple to have natural dreads. Have long hair, stop combing it, and keep washing it. And I did just that. Always wash the hair.

Our hairs are natural locks. You don’t need to use chemicals, what for? I pity you who go an extra unnecessary step of applying herbs, chemicals and who knows what to make dreads. Be natural, unless you aint a natural African.

Being a successful broadcaster, I was and am already a public figure. Having beautiful Afro Dreads made me more visible. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

There is a sensational connection with the people when you have dreads. A dreadman is a peace-loving person, and when people met me, all they could naturally do was to smile and greet me – stranger or friend alike.

I remember receiving special treatment almost everywhere I went. I was proud of being African. Being able to share smiles, and some laughter. In my area I was a sole DREADman. And you know what this means!!!

“Are you a rasta?” No am not.

“But you have dreadlocks.” Yes I have dreadlocks. I could ask if they were monks since they had absolutely no hair on them. And after this they understood that am African and proud.

It is a great misconception that having the hair locked is Rastafarianism. It is greatly influenced by it, but I believe it takes a lot to be a Rasta than locking the hair. Just like Morgan Heritage said, “you don’t haffi dread to be rasta. It’s not a dreadlock thing but a conception of your heart.” And many people hide in the name of dreadlocks.

People are bringing a lot of shame to the rasta world simply because they think having dreads is a passport to Rastafarianism. Rastas are peace loving people. They advocate for social change, social justice, unity and love.

People saw this in me, and that is what I meant to do, though not a rasta in that sense.

The only sad thing about having good DREADS and being a broadcaster is that you are no longer a private person. No more privacy. You are in the public lime light. You cannot hide. And since you are always in the open, you have to be the best a human being can be. It’s very easy to be and do good. It uses less energy, and it motivates a number of people that would otherwise have no hope for a good thing on this earth.

Time came when I wanted to have some privacy to myself. Privacy to do what I wanted to do without anyone noticing that am around. I needed to have time to myself.

No matter how much people love you, you must always have time to yourself.

That’s the only way you can know who you are and what you are here for.

A lot of people get swallowed in the name of doing good for the people, and yet they do bad to themselves and the immediate people around them. This is misplaced pride.

People came to know me as Matongo, the dreadlocked, and not Matongo, son of Maumbi. Now this is dangerous, people no longer know you. What they know is your hair. The hair was definitely not me, but a part of me.

This became a food for thought. As much as it is good to have an ID people associate you with, people have to know the real you. I was losing my real identity – and had to something.

It was not easy after five years to cut very beautiful Gold locks, but it had to happen. 6 Jan 08 was the date that brought back the Matongo Maumbi in me. I cut and archived my locks in my house.

I felt liberated. This is when I came to know who knew me as me, and those who knew me just for the locks.

It’s interesting how suddenly people do not notice am around unless I mention so. My mind is free, but I don’t know for how long I can live without my long hair, and maybe dreads.

One thing am happy about is that I have isolated those that only associated with me ‘cos of the dreads. What I have are people that know me, with or without dreads. Even my girlfriend is at peace with me now. I no longer cause that public attention to the people.

It’s been a few years since I cut, and I have been cutting every month or so till last year. It seems I just can’t move away from having long hair. I feel the locks are coming back soon. I don’t know what to do and I know what to do. What do I do?

I enjoy whipping people with dem locks. We shall see what happens. Don’t advantage of things and people just because you are dreadlocked, let things and people appreciate what comes from a Real African Standing Tall Alone.

The next time you see me with dreads, don’t ask me why I have them back – I love them…………