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Teachers criticise Mthuli Ncube
02 Nov 2023 at 05:49hrs | Views
Teachers' unions criticized Finance Minister Mthulisi Ncube for not addressing the challenges facing the education sector and demanded that the 2024 budget should focus on resolving long-standing issues. They called for the budget to make free education a reality for all learners without discrimination.
In 2023, teachers had demanded that Ncube allocate at least 20% of the national budget to the education sector, which they claimed was in poor condition. Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) Secretary-General Goodwill Taderera stated their expectations, urging the government to allocate 22% of the budget to education. He emphasized the need for salaries that align with the teachers' efforts and workload, eliminating the need for moonlighting and extra lessons. They expected salaries upward of US$800 to cover their expenses.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President Obert Masaraure stressed that the 2024 budget should address the education sector's deficits. He called for the government to allocate at least 20% of the total budget to education, in accordance with the Dakar and Incheon declarations. He also emphasized the need for funding to cover tuition grants for learners from early childhood development to Form 4.
Masaraure further suggested allocating a minimum of US$13 per child for the provision of sanitary pads to fulfill the provisions of the Education Act. He demanded substantial allocations for infrastructural development to improve satellite schools and infrastructure in rural and marginalized communities.
Tapedza Zhou, Secretary-General of the Educators Union of Zimbabwe, expected Ncube to address sector-specific allowances for teachers, outline plans for teacher accommodation, and allocate funds for clean water in rural areas.
In summary, the teachers' unions are urging the government to allocate a significant portion of the budget to education, address issues related to teachers' salaries, infrastructure, and standards of living, and ensure that all learners have access to free education.
In 2023, teachers had demanded that Ncube allocate at least 20% of the national budget to the education sector, which they claimed was in poor condition. Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) Secretary-General Goodwill Taderera stated their expectations, urging the government to allocate 22% of the budget to education. He emphasized the need for salaries that align with the teachers' efforts and workload, eliminating the need for moonlighting and extra lessons. They expected salaries upward of US$800 to cover their expenses.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President Obert Masaraure stressed that the 2024 budget should address the education sector's deficits. He called for the government to allocate at least 20% of the total budget to education, in accordance with the Dakar and Incheon declarations. He also emphasized the need for funding to cover tuition grants for learners from early childhood development to Form 4.
Tapedza Zhou, Secretary-General of the Educators Union of Zimbabwe, expected Ncube to address sector-specific allowances for teachers, outline plans for teacher accommodation, and allocate funds for clean water in rural areas.
In summary, the teachers' unions are urging the government to allocate a significant portion of the budget to education, address issues related to teachers' salaries, infrastructure, and standards of living, and ensure that all learners have access to free education.
Source - newsday
