Teachers have vowed not to return to schools until the government awards them salaries in US dollars.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president, Takavafira Zhou told Hevoi FM News that teachers are incapacitated to go back to work.
“There are five fundamentals that can guarantee the successful opening of schools any where and at any time,”said Zhou.
Foremost is the ability of teachers to report for work. At any rate teachers are the most important element in the education system.Secondly, is the ability of parents to pay fees so that pupils can turn up for learning.Thirdly, is meaningful engagement between gvt/PSC and Teacher Unions in order to foster industrial harmony and productivity in schools.Fourthly, is intrinsic motivation of teachers so as to entrench meaningful learning and teaching in schools.Lastly is the prioritisation of health and safety of teachers, learners and ancillary staff in schools in order to combat covid-19 pandemic. There is virtually very little the gvt has done, and the conglomeration of teachers, pupils and ancillary staff in schools without any testing is dangerous,”said Zhou.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association president Richard Gundani told Hevoi FM News that teachers will not go back to work stations due to low salaries.
“Teachers and our members within the education sector have resolved that we down tools unless government review our salaries as they are incapacitated,”said Gundani.
Teachers want the government to pay them salaries equivalent to US $540.