News / Education
Zimbabwe Teachers' Association urges members to return to work
08 Jan 2012 at 05:43hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (Zimta) has urged its members to report for duty when schools open this Tuesday as the teacher representative body continues to engage the Government over a salary increment.
Civil servants, mainly teachers, were reported to have threatened industrial action when the first school term begins this week in a bid to force their employer to improve conditions of service.
However, Zimta president Mrs Tendai Chikowore said the association had not declared a strike.
Mrs Chikowore, who is also Apex Council chairperson, said their negotiating team would meet the responsible Government officials this Wednesday to iron out sticking points.
"The onus is on Minister Lucia Matibenga, through her Public Service Ministry, to rope in negotiators from the Government side so we can map the way forward," she said.
"However, whether or not they come to the meeting, we are determined to have a response and if we do not see light at the end of the tunnel, we will definitely take action."
The Apex Council is demanding a monthly salary of US$538 for the least paid worker.
The Public Service Association, Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe, Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe and Zimta all fall under the council.
Meanwhile, it was a hive of activity in central Harare yesterday as parents jostled to buy school uniforms and other learning materials ahead of the opening of schools this week.
Some parents also ferried their children to schools outside the capital for orientation while others queued at banks to withdraw funds for tuition fees.
A number of stationery and uniform outlets engaged in serious competition for customers with significant price reductions being a major tactic.
A4 exercise books were being sold for US$0,18 each while a roll of plastic and khaki cover went for about US$0,30 and US$2 respectively.
Primary school uniform prices also varied, with some shops selling a pair of boys' shorts at between US$16 and US$36. Girls' uniforms ranged from US$20 to US$36 and shoes between US$15 to US$25.
Barbours Department Store general manager Mrs Edith Chari said there was brisk business as parents prepared for the opening of schools.
"The back to school season started earlier than we anticipated and, as an organisation, we are pleased with the turnout because business has been fair considering the tough variables of our economy," she said.
Civil servants, mainly teachers, were reported to have threatened industrial action when the first school term begins this week in a bid to force their employer to improve conditions of service.
However, Zimta president Mrs Tendai Chikowore said the association had not declared a strike.
Mrs Chikowore, who is also Apex Council chairperson, said their negotiating team would meet the responsible Government officials this Wednesday to iron out sticking points.
"The onus is on Minister Lucia Matibenga, through her Public Service Ministry, to rope in negotiators from the Government side so we can map the way forward," she said.
"However, whether or not they come to the meeting, we are determined to have a response and if we do not see light at the end of the tunnel, we will definitely take action."
The Apex Council is demanding a monthly salary of US$538 for the least paid worker.
The Public Service Association, Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe, Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe and Zimta all fall under the council.
Some parents also ferried their children to schools outside the capital for orientation while others queued at banks to withdraw funds for tuition fees.
A number of stationery and uniform outlets engaged in serious competition for customers with significant price reductions being a major tactic.
A4 exercise books were being sold for US$0,18 each while a roll of plastic and khaki cover went for about US$0,30 and US$2 respectively.
Primary school uniform prices also varied, with some shops selling a pair of boys' shorts at between US$16 and US$36. Girls' uniforms ranged from US$20 to US$36 and shoes between US$15 to US$25.
Barbours Department Store general manager Mrs Edith Chari said there was brisk business as parents prepared for the opening of schools.
"The back to school season started earlier than we anticipated and, as an organisation, we are pleased with the turnout because business has been fair considering the tough variables of our economy," she said.
Source - Sunday Mail
