Teachers’ Unions Condemn Punishment Over Zero Per Cent Pass Rates

Teachers’ unions have criticised the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s decision to penalise educators in Bulilima district, Matabeleland South, over zero per cent pass rates.

Union leaders contend that the government is unfairly blaming teachers for deep-rooted systemic shortcomings.

Speaking to Southern Eye, Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure described the charges against the teachers as “a cruel joke.” He said:

“Honestly, the teachers who are in rural areas can never be accused of poor pass rate as it is driven by non-structural issues, with one teacher having a very big class — teaching up to 140 learners, and some schools don’t have classrooms, with pupils learning under trees.

“You can’t blame a doctor for deaths when you’ve starved the hospital of medicine.”

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, said:

“Why punish struggling schools instead of rewarding those that succeed? If the ministry won’t fix roofs, pay teachers or send textbooks, it has no right to point fingers.”

This follows reports that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, is preparing to take disciplinary action against teachers who have consistently recorded a 0% pass rate over the past five years.

According to a circular issued by Bulilima District Schools Inspector, Gobile Gobile, more than 15 teachers at various secondary schools have failed to produce a single passing student in subjects such as Heritage Studies, Geography, Combined Science, and Mathematics.

The Ministry considers incompetence a dischargeable offence, meaning teachers found guilty of such persistent underperformance could be dismissed from service.

The move is part of efforts to improve academic standards in the district, where some schools have struggled to achieve even the most basic examination success.

The circular was directed to all secondary school heads in the district, urging them to account for prolonged poor performance by their teaching staff.

More: Southern Eye