By Lerato Ndlovu
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has blasted government for attempting to cover up the challenges bedeviling the education sector.
This comes after government claimed concerns faced by the education sector had been addressed.
In a statement, ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure said public schools must not open for the second term if challenges remain unaddressed.
“No learning is taking place in the majority of the public schools, yet the government continues to sing the “all is well” message in a desperate attempt to mask the crisis in the education sector.
“As a union we are worried that if the façade is allowed to continue the future of a whole generation and the nation at large may be ruined, as such it is against this worrying background that we are proposing a radical intervention from the working class to save the education from collapse.
“The government will have adequate time to resolve incapacitation crisis from 4 June, when schools close to 28 June when schools are expected to open for second term” he said. “If government fails to use this window, it is the Union’s measured view that public schools should not be opened for the second term until the government has resolved the ensuing labour dispute with the teachers.”
He added that government should be forced to pay teachers pre-October 2018 salaries to restore normalcy in schools considering that parents are now trying to illegally incentivize teachers in order for them to work.
“We note attempts by parents to try to illegally incentivize teachers for examinations are fast approaching, so as to ensure the future of learners and such piecemeal interventions are unsustainable and discriminatory, parents have no mandate to pay teacher salaries and the majority will not afford to foot the wage bill for teachers in the long run. Learners from marginalised communities are completely left out as they cannot afford to pay teacher allowances.
“Blocking the opening of schools for second term will force the government to dialogue with teachers and genuinely resolve the incapacitation crisis, schools will then be opened for efficient teaching and learning.
“Motivated teachers will definitely work around the clock to bridge the learning gaps created by both the COVID19 pandemic disruptions and the incapacitation crisis” he said.
