Teachers’ unions have warned the government that their members might not be able to resume their duties when schools open for the second term this month-end if their demands are not met.
The teachers want the government to revert to the pre-October 2018 salaries of between US$520 and US$550 or the local currency equivalent as well as personal protective equipment against COVID-19.
The government set 28 June for the opening of the second term, but a sharp rise in coronavirus infections in the past few days poses a threat to the schools’ calendar.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure told NewsDay that if teachers were still incapacitated, there would be no opening of schools on 28 June. He said:
Teachers are still earning a slavery wage and if the government is not working to improve the teachers’ salaries, there will be no opening of schools.
Government announced a date, but we are saying no to teachers going back to school before they are capacitated.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said the government should immediately review the salaries of educators. Said Majongwe:
Government should address the issue of teachers’ salaries. We recently lost a teacher in Karoi due to different challenges with regards to upkeep and well-being.
He said the government could not expect the teachers to go back to school before addressing their wage challenges.
Schools must be reopened , yah we know there is covid but , also remember that for this country to develop children need to be educated , what if this covid doesn’t end , do you expect them to stay at home , forever , please let’s continue with our calendar , 28 May ,
Have a blessed day
Gyz scools should not open like think for your kids getting to school and getting the virus then come back and spread it a home …for boarders much worse ur child can die trust me I have been in that position as I am a boarder
Gyz scools should not open like think for your kids getting to school and getting the virus then come back and spread it a home …for boarders much worse ur child can die trust me I have been in that position as I am a boarder
Some of our children stay at the boarding schools there is a rise in the Covid 19 case we can’t open schools until we are sure that our children won’t get infected
Schools should not open since there is this new variant the kids would be affected by this new variant
Schools opening will be a disaster guyz ,this Delta variant n our situation as a country uuum surely pupils will perish