News / National
'Only 30% of Zimbabwe teachers report for duty'
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The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) has revealed that only 30% of the country's educators reported for duty as schools reopened for the first term on Tuesday. The low turnout is attributed to widespread protests over poor working conditions and inadequate salaries.
Artuz, which called for a week-long strike to pressure the government into negotiations, issued a statement highlighting the dire situation.
"Teachers across the nation have voiced their collective grievances. A survey conducted has revealed that only 30% of teachers reported for duty," the union said.
Artuz emphasized that poor salaries have pushed educators into financial instability, with many drowning in debt.
"The overwhelming debt burden faced by teachers due to insufficient salaries has led to financial instability. We urge the ministry to engage with the Minister of Finance to establish a sustainable debt relief programme and increase salaries to meet the cost of living," the union stated.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou echoed these sentiments, calling for the restoration of teachers' purchasing power parity.
"We are calling for restoration of purchasing power parity of teachers' basic salary to US$540, including 30% of basic salary as hardship allowance and US$120 as school fees allowance," Zhou said.
He also criticized the lack of funding for the Heritage-Based Curriculum recently introduced by the government, stating that without a budget for workshops and resources, the curriculum's implementation would be untenable.
Despite these revelations, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro dismissed claims of a widespread stay away.
"There is no evidence to suggest such a scenario," Ndoro said when contacted for comment. However, no official statements were issued by the Finance and Public Service ministries by the time of publication.
The crisis in the education sector is exacerbated by years of underfunding and neglect. Thousands of teachers have reportedly quit their jobs in frustration, further straining the already struggling system.
The ongoing standoff has cast a shadow over the reopening of schools, leaving many parents and students uncertain about the future of education in Zimbabwe. Teacher unions have vowed to continue their fight for better wages and working conditions, raising the stakes for government intervention.
Artuz, which called for a week-long strike to pressure the government into negotiations, issued a statement highlighting the dire situation.
"Teachers across the nation have voiced their collective grievances. A survey conducted has revealed that only 30% of teachers reported for duty," the union said.
Artuz emphasized that poor salaries have pushed educators into financial instability, with many drowning in debt.
"The overwhelming debt burden faced by teachers due to insufficient salaries has led to financial instability. We urge the ministry to engage with the Minister of Finance to establish a sustainable debt relief programme and increase salaries to meet the cost of living," the union stated.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou echoed these sentiments, calling for the restoration of teachers' purchasing power parity.
"We are calling for restoration of purchasing power parity of teachers' basic salary to US$540, including 30% of basic salary as hardship allowance and US$120 as school fees allowance," Zhou said.
He also criticized the lack of funding for the Heritage-Based Curriculum recently introduced by the government, stating that without a budget for workshops and resources, the curriculum's implementation would be untenable.
Despite these revelations, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro dismissed claims of a widespread stay away.
"There is no evidence to suggest such a scenario," Ndoro said when contacted for comment. However, no official statements were issued by the Finance and Public Service ministries by the time of publication.
The crisis in the education sector is exacerbated by years of underfunding and neglect. Thousands of teachers have reportedly quit their jobs in frustration, further straining the already struggling system.
The ongoing standoff has cast a shadow over the reopening of schools, leaving many parents and students uncertain about the future of education in Zimbabwe. Teacher unions have vowed to continue their fight for better wages and working conditions, raising the stakes for government intervention.
Source - newsday
