Zimbabwe school teachers down chalks

SCHOOLTEACHERS in some parts of the country are striking against school authorities' decisions to slash incentives paid by parents and guardians. In Harare, teachers at Rugare Primary School yesterday went on strike after authorities slashed the incentives by $30.

Teachers at Prince Edward High School last Friday downed tools protesting against among other things, a decision to reduce their incentives from $300 to about $50.

Government increased salaries and allowances for its workers in July this year, resulting in average teachers and nurses netting over $300.

Salaries for the lowest-paid worker rose from $128 to $253 depending on one's grade.

There are disputes at most schools in Harare and Bulawayo over the slashing of teachers' incentives, teachers unions confirmed yesterday.

Teachers at Rugare Primary School had been getting $150 per month since January this year.

The School Development Association, however, cut the figure to $120 arguing that the teachers received an increment from their employer, the Government, way after they agreed on the figures.

The SDA argued that part of the money would now be channelled towards development programmes.

The teachers spent the day sitting under a tree in the schoolyard while pupils played in the school grounds.

District education officer Mr Davy Zuweni convened an urgent meeting with the teachers and the School Development Committee.

"Yes, there is a misunderstanding over incentives. We have met our teachers, we are going to report to the provincial education director," he said.

The teachers presented a petition to Mr Zuweni at around 12:15pm demanding that their incentives be increased to $200 per month.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe confirmed that there were conflicts between teachers and school authorities over the slashing of incentives.

He said his union received complaints in some parts of Bulawayo and Harare.

"We have heard reports from certain schools in Bulawayo and many schools in Epworth (Harare).

"Now that we are getting towards the examination period, I feel that is when incentives are most needed. Unfortunately, the school authorities have decided to reduce them.

"Those authorities never formally communicated to us about such a development. We only heard about it through rumours and complaints from our members," he said.

Mr Majongwe said some teachers in remote areas were not getting even a single cent in incentives.

Rural teachers who are lucky to receive incentives, get between $5 and $10.

"While incentives have been reduced, there are some who are not even getting a cent and they are living miserable lives. This is a very unfair situation and it is likely to cause serious divisions among teachers," said Mr Majongwe.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive, Mr Sifiso Ndlovu, urged the union members not to direct their anger at the parents, but to push for salary increases from their employer.

"Incentives are a privilege and not a right that people can claim as a condition of service. We want to advise our members not to direct their anger to the parents but to the Public Service Commission. Parents are simply trying to alleviate a problem, which is a responsibility of the Government," he said.

Mr Ndlovu said parents should concentrate on developing schools while Government pays teachers.

Mr Zuweni said he had a fruitful meeting with the teachers at Rugare Primary School and they would resume work today.

"Initially they were protesting the reduction of incentives by $30, but we heard different figures in the meeting. On this petition by the teachers, they are claiming incentives should rise to $200," he said.

The one-hour meeting took place at the school.

A member of the SDC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said $120 was appropriate.