By Paidashe Mandivengerei
Rural teachers have Thursday, vowed to embark on an industrial action when schools open this term until the government meets their demands.
The government teachers want their wages at the interbank rate, a review of the new curriculum, fully paid study leaves and an expansion of their social security which will cover health service amongst other demands.
According to Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president, Obert Masaraure the current teacher’s salary is equivalent to only US$30 and barely covers their basic needs; transport, food and rentals.
Masaraure went on to blast government for failing to avail adequate funds towards the education sector.
He added that ZWL$ 8.5 billion allocations for education by Finance minister in the 2020 National Budget barely covers teachers’ salaries.
“The 2020 budgetary allocation for education is a clear testimony that our government has no love for our education sector. We last received such a low budgetary allocation in the ESAP era and in 2000 when resources were diverted towards constitutional reform. Austerity measures are still in place contrary to the misleading statements from the Minister of Finance. The ZW$ 8, 5 billion allocated to education is not enough to cater for inter-bank rate salaries for the 140 000 teachers who are supposed to attend to our learners. Even if we were going to channel 100% of the allocated budget towards wages only, teachers will still be underpaid. There is nothing available for capital investment at a time when we have a shortage of over 2000 schools.
Our government has reneged on its constitutional mandate of providing basic education.
In previous years we have confined ourselves to the fight for labour justice for our membership. We have demanded a living wage and better working conditions but we have failed to work hand in hand with the parents and learners to holistically push for inclusive access to quality education for our learners. We were working in our isolated silo. The state took advantage and brutalized our members and incited parents against our teachers. We have to close that chapter and unite with the parents of our learners.
The National Executive Council, NEC of ARTUZ has already resolved that schools will not open in January until the salary crisis is resolved. We are glad that sister Unions have endorsed declaration and call upon parents to support this revolutionary cause.
The teachers of Zimbabwe are earning around US$30 per month which is not enough to cater for education for their dependence, food, shelter, healthcare and even transport to work.
We will not pretend to be teaching when we are not. We can’t hazard the future of innocent children by giving them substandard education. We will teach when the conditions are right. The poor performance of the 2019 Grade 7 class is a wakeup call for both parents and teachers. We have a duty to find a lasting solution to the education crisis.
We still demand;
Interbank pegged salaries using our old United States dollar salaries as a benchmark. A substantive rural retention attraction allowance to incentivize rural teachers. An education equalization fund to enhance access to quality education for marginalized communities
Fully Paid study leave for all teachers
Restoration of the legally provided vacation leave
Review of the new curriculum
Devolution of education planning and management
Expanding social security to cover health care by a more transparent and accountable National Social Security Authority.
The scrapping of the opaque pension contribution replaced with a more transparent system.
Employment of more teachers to resolve the crisis of staff shortages.”
