No reopening for Zimbabwe schools

Harare, 07 Jan-(ANA)-The reopening of schools in Zimbabwe after the Christmas break has been delayed by two weeks.

Education Minister Stephen Mahere said teachers needed to mark last year's exams before the new term can begin.

But many teachers are refusing to return to work until they are assured of being paid in foreign currency as local currency is almost worthless.

Meanwhile, President Robert Mugabe has replaced some acting ministers who lost seats in last March's elections.

According to state media, Mr Mugabe intends to form a new government next month after he returns from a four-week-long holiday.

He has agreed to share power with the opposition but this has not happened.

Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have been unable to agree on how to divide cabinet posts.

Zimbabwe has been crippled by the stalled power-sharing negotiations, as well as a cholera epidemic which has spread quickly amid the country's economic meltdown, so far killing 1,671 people.(ANA)

FA/ANA/07 January 2009---