RTUZ leadership to march for rural education

Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, RTUZ executive council is embarking on a 10 day march, covering 200km, from Mutawatawa growth point in Mrehwa district to Harare from 15th to 25th of August, advocating for the betterment of rural education.

RTUZ will hand over a petition of ten demands at UMP, Murehwa, Goromonzi Ministry of Education district offices and finally at head office in Harare.  

The petition will have the following ten demands.
 - A salary above PDL on time every month
 - An upward review of rural allowance at 100% of the salary
 - Cessation of the non-transparent pension contributions
 - Restoration of vacation leave and full maternity for teachers on probation
 - Infrastructural development in rural schools and communities
 - An end to all forms of violence against Rural Teachers
 - A solution to the cash crisis ravaging our economy
 - Full salaries for Student Teachers
 - Awarding fully recognised school status to all satellite schools
 - Dissolution of incumbent Government and fresh elections if our demands are not met.

We call upon all teachers and parents based in the areas, which we will walk through, to join us and march for the betterment of rural education.

Zimbabwe conceits itself as a leader in the area of education in Africa but this country's pride is being violated and is plummeting everyday particularly in rural areas.

Some pupils in rural areas travel more than 20 km to school daily, learning in deplorable infrastructure. Teachers are faced with the brunt of an economically, socially and politically bankrupt government and those based in rural areas are the worst affected.

Since independence in 1980, the rural teacher has not enjoyed much. Lives of rural teachers are marked with poor salaries, poor housing and living conditions at schools, poor policies and lack of security during election time. In 2008, teachers in some rural areas where attacked for political reasons accused of advocating for certain political parties.  

As RTUZ we hope the authorities will address our demands and the nation will become aware of our difficulties. We are optimistic that this march will lead to a unity of purpose for the betterment of rural teaching, schooling and education at large.