Between 15,000 and 20,000 teachers in Zimbabwe are reportedly taking early retirement each year because of poor working conditions.
Speaking to NewsDay on Tuesday, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said they have received many reports of teachers either leaving the profession or thinking about it, mainly due to low pay and tough working conditions. Said Zhou:
Yes, we have received such cases. What is most worrisome is the delay in processing retirement benefits for those who formally retire, with some even passing on before accessing retirement packages. The sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Combined Science and ICT (computers) are the most affected.
The statistics for early retirement or any other form of retirement are very difficult to get. However, we are losing between 15 000 and 20 000 teachers per year through desertion.
Statistics for this are computable because, apart from getting monthly provincial reports, the Salary Services Bureau also gives monthly indications of members whose dues cannot be deducted after leaving teaching.
There is a general feeling that the government is deliberately fixing teachers for a crime best known by the employer.
Many teachers have also been psychologically affected by the blame levelled against them, when they are doing so much with so little.
Zhou said teachers were frustrated due to limited opportunities for engagement with the government, as well as political interference in the management of schools. He said:
There is so much political interference in running schools, with administrators even suspended for professionally doing their duties, such as protecting other students from abuse by children of politicians in schools.
There is so much interference in running schools with school development associations or committees coming directly under political influence and manipulation of tenders in schools.
Lessons are frequently disrupted and schools are given orders to ensure pupils attend political gatherings, particularly where elite politicians or their wives would be guests of honour.
All these disturbances are never considered when pupils’ performance decline. Schools are no longer safe institutions of teaching and learning.
Zhou said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should appoint school heads based on merit, engage with teacher unions, and ensure teachers are properly remunerated and provided with adequate learning and teaching materials. He added:
Teaching is the mother of all professions and teachers manage the best asset of a nation in terms of youth, and must be paid well.
Watch and subscribe to the channel below. Copy the below #
Treasures of Wisdom @TreasuresOfWisdom-v5j