ARTUZ commemorates Youth Day

By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) young teachers quarter has joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 2021 International Youth Day (IYD).

IYD is an annual and global event celebrated each year on the 12th of August.

This year’s IYD was run under the theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.

In a statement, issued Thursday, ARTUZ applauded this year’s theme, indicating that it is in line with the organisation’s thrust to improve the country’s education system to both the present and future generations.

“Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) young teachers join the rest of the world in commemorating International Youth Day 2021.

“This year’s commemorations are being held under the theme: “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.

“This theme dovetails with ARTUZ’s thrust for a devolved education system which promotes local learning and sustainable resource management,” reads part of the statement.

ARTUZ went on to slam government for ignoring the rights and welfare of young teachers.

“This year’s IYD so comes as a time when the rights of teachers and young teachers in particular are being disregarded. Young teachers are being dismissed from their working places without due regard of their rights as set out in Section 65 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“Remuneration for teachers is way below the Poverty Datum Line (PDL) and this disproportionately affects young teachers who are coming from colleges and have no savings. This is despite the fact that Young teachers are often deployed in remote rural schools which lack basic facilities and amenities.”

ARTUZ also pleaded with government to prioritise and improve the country’s education sector.

The civic society organisation also advocated for capacitating of young rural teachers and a waiver of examination fees for learners at public schools, particularly those from the marginalised areas.