By Tatenda Gabi.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) has reported that only 30% of the country’s educators have returned to work, with many staying away in protest against inadequate welfare conditions. Schools reopened for the first term on Tuesday, but low morale among teachers has been evident following the government’s refusal to meet with unions to discuss their concerns.
Artuz has called for a week-long protest to pressure the government back to negotiations. In a statement, they highlighted that the poor working conditions have severely impacted the well-being and effectiveness of the teaching workforce. Many teachers are facing overwhelming debt due to insufficient salaries, leading to financial instability.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President Takavafira Zhou echoed these sentiments, calling for the restoration of purchasing power parity for teachers’ basic salaries, recommending an amount of US$540, which would include a hardship allowance and school fees support. He emphasized the need for a budget to implement the new Heritage Based Curriculum, stating that without proper funding, teachers cannot be adequately trained for the new standards.
In response to these claims, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro denied any reports of a stay-away. As of now, there has been no official comment from the ministries of Finance and Public Service.
The education sector continues to face numerous challenges stemming from years of underfunding and neglect, leading to a growing number of teachers leaving their positions in frustration.
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