Mnangagwa approves pay rise for lecturers

The Government has taken a major step towards improving the financial welfare of university lecturers and staff following the approval of a new salary structure by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a move expected to ease long-standing concerns over low remuneration in the higher education sector.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, during his submissions to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education at the Parliament Building in Harare.

Professor Tagwira confirmed that while the President has given his approval, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, led by Professor Mthuli Ncube, is yet to release the funds.

"What we have done is factor in the salaries that His Excellency (President Mnangagwa) approved in our proposed budget,"
said Professor Tagwira.

The ministry has indicated that it requires over ZiG46 billion to fully fund its operations, including the new salary structure and a range of infrastructure projects under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).

Professor Tagwira described the salary approval as a "critical development" that demonstrates Government's commitment to improving the quality of education through better support for educators.

"The approval of salaries for university staff is a critical development. It aligns with our commitment to improving the quality of education and supporting our educators,"
he said.

The pay adjustments are expected to address long-standing grievances among university lecturers, who have for years called for improved working conditions and competitive remuneration.

In addition to the new salary framework, the Government also plans to establish teacher training colleges for secondary school educators across all provinces. Some existing primary school teacher training institutions will be transformed to train secondary school teachers, in line with a resolution from the 22nd ZANU–PF People's Conference.

"As part of this initiative, we will be opening a new college in Mhangura and transforming some colleges that currently train only primary school teachers to also train secondary school teachers," Professor Tagwira revealed.

The expansion, he added, will require additional resources under the PSIP, further underscoring the need for robust financial support from Treasury.

Professor Tagwira also highlighted the improved performance of the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef), which had been struggling to meet its obligations in previous years.

"In 2018, Zimdef was almost non-operational and even borrowing for salaries. However, it is now fully operational, and we are ensuring that its resources are exclusively used for teaching and infrastructure development," he said.

He cited the Midlands State University (MSU) Law School project as an example of efficient resource use, noting that the institution successfully completed the building despite receiving only ZiG8 billion from the Government, relying on strong fundraising efforts to bridge the gap.

Dr Josiah Makombe, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, commended the ministry's initiatives and pledged to advocate for greater budgetary support.

"Development cannot be achieved under the current budget constraints. We will continue to lobby for increased funding to ensure the success of these important educational projects,"
Dr Makombe said.

He also emphasised the importance of accountability and transparency once the proposed budget is approved, to ensure that the funds are used effectively for the benefit of the education sector.

The implementation of the new salary structure, once funded, is expected to significantly improve staff morale, attract skilled professionals, and enhance the quality of higher education across Zimbabwe.