Teachers criticise govt over underfunded education sector

Teachers have criticised the government for failing to adequately fund Zimbabwe's education sector, warning that insufficient support threatens education delivery.

The remarks were made as the country joined the world in commemorating World Teachers' Day on Sunday. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education recently highlighted that the government owed US$72 million as of March 2025, including arrears related to the Basic Education Assistance Module.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou told NewsDay that teachers are central to achieving quality and equitable education. "The global roadmap for the Education 2030 Framework of Action emphasises the essence of teachers as significant for equitable and quality education and, therefore, must be well paid, motivated, and supported within well-resourced, efficient and effectively governed systems," he said.

Zhou said teachers had long urged the government to restore salaries to pre-October 2018 levels, which previously allowed for a decent standard of living. He also cited critical infrastructure gaps, noting a shortage of 3,000 schools and over 50,000 teachers, leading to high teacher-pupil ratios and overcrowded, composite classes.

He added that 65% of secondary and 75% of primary schools lacked electricity or solar power, undermining research and ICT-based teaching. Zhou also warned of the brain drain, with roughly 15,000 teachers leaving the profession annually, and the declining number of male students in teacher training institutions, now below 10%, which could compromise gender diversity in the sector.

"There is an urgent need to focus on status restoration for teachers to enhance quality public education in Zimbabwe," he said.

However, Primary and Secondary Education Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro dismissed the allegations, calling them "reckless and unsubstantiated" and claiming they undermine the government's efforts to transform the sector.

"We are in the midst of the most aggressive school-building programme in our nation's history. We have constructed over 1,000 new schools in the last few years alone, with hundreds more at various stages of completion," Ndoro said. "Every new school structure you see is a testament to our commitment."

The debate underscores growing tension between educators demanding better pay and conditions and government authorities asserting progress in rebuilding Zimbabwe's education infrastructure.