Teachers receive US$500k under Presidential Empowerment Fund

Teachers across Zimbabwe have received a major financial boost with the launch of the Presidential Teachers Empowerment Fund, amounting to US$500,000, unveiled at the Teachers for ED Economic Empowerment Conference in Harare on Saturday.

The revolving fund will allocate US$50,000 to each of the country's 10 provinces, aimed at supporting income-generating projects initiated by educators.

Presidential Investment Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara highlighted the central role of teachers in shaping Zimbabwe's future. "Today we are here to celebrate and empower teachers. The Presidential Empowerment Programme is an initiative to empower teachers. All of us were taught by teachers, and it is that same teacher that opened our minds to the world of wonders. Teachers are the architects of our future, yet for too long the architecture has been overlooked. The Presidential government is investing in teachers through a revolving fund," he said.

ZANU-PF National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha explained that the fund is intended to provide seed money for teachers to launch income-generating projects. "You must put this fund to good use and ensure everyone benefits. We have set up a monitoring and evaluation committee to ensure the funds are disbursed to the right beneficiaries and used for their intended purposes," he said.

Teachers welcomed the initiative as a step toward strengthening their role in the broader economy. Mr Ropafadzo Matemavi, Teachers for ED National Chairperson, said, "Our teachers under Teachers for ED have been attending lectures at the Chitepo School of Ideology, where we are taught about the need to decolonise the mind and empower ourselves. This fund will go a long way in sustaining our projects."

In addition to the financial support, Teachers for Economic Development received 12 vehicles to enhance organisational mobility and coordination.

The initiative follows previous government-led empowerment schemes targeting youth, women, and war veterans, reflecting an ongoing commitment to socio-economic empowerment of key groups in Zimbabwe.