Petra High School fires 12 teachers

PETRA High School in Bulawayo has terminated employment contracts for 12 Government-registered teachers, replacing them with "volunteers", Sunday News reported.

The 12 teachers had their contracts terminated without being given the option to choose between staying in private service or be redeployed in the civil service. Affected teachers who spoke to Sunday News on condition of anonymity said school authorities forced them to sign forms for redeployment to Government.

This comes after Government, in January this year, recalled all Government teachers at all trust and private schools, in line with recommendations of the 2015 civil service audit report. The teachers, however, still had the option to choose to stay in private service or be redeployed in Government schools.

In communicating the development to the affected schools, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango gave teachers 14 days from Thursday to respond. By failing to respond within the prescribed period, she said, one would be deemed to have resigned from the Civil Service Commission.

A follow up circular on 16 February this year to Petra High School indicated that the affected teachers had the option to choose between staying in private service or be redeployed to the civil service.

"Reference is made to the Civil Service Commission minute referenced C716 dated 28 January 2016 . . . The Minute was meant to afford members an opportunity to choose whether they are willing to be redeployed to a Government school," reads part of the circular signed by Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo.

The circular further read: "Normal members are to remain in their current stations until further notice. They should be given their normal load."

Other trust and private schools are yet to act on the initial circular and are still waiting for further notice from Government.

However, authorities at Petra have, without according teachers the options contained in the follow up circular, terminated contracts for 12 teachers, leaving contracts for 15 other Government-registered teachers running.

Sources at the school said the 12 affected teachers are still reporting for duty but their teaching loads have since been taken over by volunteers, and they are not allowed to go anywhere near the classrooms.

Sunday News is in possession of a copy of the letter of termination of contract for one of the teachers, which cites financial constraints as one of the reasons the school was terminating the teachers' contracts.

"In view of the decision taken by Government to stop paying your salary to the school, and in view of their recent circular asking Government teachers to elect whether they want to either be redeployed or want to terminate Government service, your contract with Petra will regrettably terminate on Tuesday 16 February. Because of funding constraints caused by Government's withdrawal of salary payment we urge you to complete the redeployment form and submit it to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education by not later than 16 February 2016," reads part of the letter.

Petra Schools Board of Governors chairperson Mr Ian Conolly said the decision to terminate contracts for the 12 teachers was in line with the Government circular recalling Government teachers from trust and private schools.

Mr Conolly, however, did not explain the discretion the board used in selecting 12 teachers out of a complement of 27 Government-registered teachers at the school.

"Petra Schools Board of Governors acted on this circular and on February 15th informed 12 Government teachers that, because of financial constraints caused by Government's termination of the payment of teachers' salaries, they would need to be recalled back to Government service. The affected teachers then submitted their paperwork as required by the CSC circular.

"The Civil Service Commission's original directive has not been countermanded by the CSC and it remains in force. The school and the Government teachers affected by it have complied with that directive," he said.

Added Mr Conolly: "As a school community we are very sad that teachers who have given such fine, loyal service over so many years are no longer able to remain at Petra due to circumstances beyond our control. We are most grateful for the professional manner in which staff have dealt with their redeployment and we wish them well as they move back to Government service."

Bulawayo PED Mr Moyo could not be drawn to comment on whether the move by Petra was above board.