Teachers leave case defered

Judgement on the merits of the case where teachers took the government to court over the cancellation of leave days has been reserved to a later date.

The teachers are arguing that the government acted unilaterally and thus violated the constitution by making the decision to cancel vacation days without consulting them.

The matter was heard before a bench of three Labour Court judges, Justice Bridgette Chibizhe, Justice Betty Chidziva and Justice Emilia Muchawa.

The teachers' legal team led by Mr Munyaradzi Gwisai argued that the cancellation of the leave days is a violation of the constitution and provisions of the public service act.

While the government's legal team led by Mr Ephraim Mukucha said the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education acted in accordance with national interests, considering that the government is struggling to pay teachers, Mr Gwisai argued that does not form the basis of the violation of rights of civil servants guaranteed in the constitution.      

The respondent also argued that teachers do not work during school holidays.

However, the applicant's defence further dismissed this submission, arguing that the period is strictly reserved for research, scheming and lesson development by the teachers.

Justice Chibizhe reserved the judgement to a later hearing.