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Teacher unions say the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees are too high and some learners may fail to continue with their education.
ZIMSEC set the 2023 examination fees at US$24 per subject but candidates will pay US$11, while the government pays the balance.
Advanced Level examination fees are at US$48, with candidates paying US$22, while the government pays the balance.
In a statement, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) said civil servants will struggle to raise the examination fees for their children. Reads part of the statement:
<blockquote>
ZIMSEC pegged its registration fees to an equivalent of US$24 dollars per subject. This gives an average Ordinary Level candidate the cost burden of US$120 for a minimum of five subjects.
This is occurring in a context where the average civil servant is earning close to US$150 per month, hence making the examination fee way above their means.
It also means that the average learner will require more than four months to raise adequate funds to register for examinations while the Friday, April 14 deadline leaves students with less than six days to pay.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou concurred.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200010004/teachers-lament-inhumane-exorbitant-zimsec-fees">NewsDay</a>, Zhou said ZIMSEC should extend the registration deadline to give parents and guardians more time to raise the required examination fees. He said:
<blockquote>
The shift by ZIMSEC from US$22 to US$24 will heap burning coals upon the heads of thousands of Zimbabwean parents.
It is prudent for ZIMSEC to realise that many pupils will drop out of school due to exorbitant school fees.
Government must, therefore, make an urgent intervention to ensure that pupils can register for examinations.
Above all, the period of registration is too short, and an extension until schools open will provide parents with a breathing space to hunt for examination fees.
</blockquote>
Examination registration fees are pegged in USD and parents can make payments in ZWL, USD or ZAR.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

ZIMSEC Examination Fees "Unhumane" - Teachers

Teachers’ unions have blamed the “structural and ethical decay” at the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), and bad leadership in the government for recurring examination leakages.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said poor salaries are pushing ZIMSEC workers to engage in corrupt practices. Said Masaraure:
<blockquote>
The ZIMSEC exam papers scandal is a reflection of the structural and ethical decay developing in our education system as a result of bad salaries and leadership in both government and the education sector.
Bad salaries breed desperate workers, who then resort to corruption as a way to survive.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ) president, Takavafira Zhou, said ZIMSEC has lost all credibility. He said:
<blockquote>
The credibility of the ZIMSEC board is now in tatters. There is a clear lack of professionalism.
We want all children to write examinations which haven’t been leaked so that we measure their real potential.
</blockquote>
So far this year, two papers; Mathematics Paper 1 and English Paper 2 for Ordinary Level have leaked.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) revealed that so far eleven cases of exam leakages have been reported throughout the country. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/teachers-blame-poor-salaries-leadership-crisis-for-zimsec-exam-papers-leak/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Teachers' Unions Blame "Structural And Ethical Decay" For Exam Leakages

Teachers’ unions have said they’re ready to listen to a realistic salary offer by the government. A statement seen by Pindula News states that teachers are also planning to down tools if the government does not table any offer by the end of September 2022. Reads the statement dated 25 September 2022:
<blockquote>
Dear Members
This note serves to inform you, as well as the Public Service Commission, and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, that members of FOZEU (ARTUZ, EUZ, PTUZ and PEUZ) will not be able to report for work from 26 September. 
The latest offer by government to civil servants, a paltry $25 for the USD component only, is not enough to offset the herculian economic challenges facing our members. It is a known fact that our members were incapacitated before receiving their salaries, and remain incapacitated even after receiving the inconsequential salaries and the promised increment. 
We are calling on government to treat our situation with urgency and call for a realistic, all-inclusive meeting before the end of this coming week. We are also ready to listen to a realistic offer for our pauperized members.
If government has not tabled a realistic offer by the end of this month, we will take more robust action.
Yours faithfully
ARTUZ – Robson Chere +263 775643192 
EUZ – Tapedza Zhou +263 773612250
PEUZ – Wilson Makanyaire +263 773013406 
PTUZ – Raymond Majongwe +263 782702836
</blockquote>
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Teachers Say They're "Ready To Listen To A Realistic Salary Offer"

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has scoffed at the US$25 increment to public sector workers’ allowances by the government, describing it as too little.
On Tuesday, the government and public sector unions met under the National Joint Negotiating Forum where the new offer was tabled. 
Posting on Twitter on Tuesday, PTUZ said the paltry increment will lead to industrial action by teachers. It said:
<blockquote>
The govt, as usual, thinks it’s all a joke. An increment of only $25 when service providers have already wiped out more than that, really?
It would seem that govt is pushing teachers towards real action. It’s a dog’s breakfast.
</blockquote>
In a letter updating public sector workers on Tuesday on the outcome of the NJNC, Apex Council chairperson Cecelia Alexander said the wage increase is with effect from 1 September 2022. She wrote:
<blockquote>
The employer offered an increase of 25 % on the USD100 to make USD125 and maintained the USD75 Covid allowances to make the total USD package USD200 with effect from the 1st of September 2022.
The workers acknowledged the increase but chose to wait for specific modalities on how this is going to be implemented.
The employer did not offer or table any increase on the ZWL salary and the workers demanded that this be also reviewed without fail.
In the end, the government side asked for time out to consult.
</blockquote>

Teachers Union Say US$25 Pay Rise Is "A Joke"

Civil service union leaders will hold a meeting on Friday morning to deliberate on the way forward after the government failed to review civil servants’ salaries in September.
Last month, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube met with representatives of civil servants under the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZCPSTU) banner to discuss salaries and conditions of service.
During the meeting, Ncube said the government will consider increasing the US dollar component paid to public workers in September.
However, the government did not increase its workers’ salaries as they were expecting and this may result in job action by the restive civil service.
In a statement, PTUZ said the government has insulted teachers and the rest of the civil service (ROCS) by failing to improve their conditions of service. PTUZ said:
<blockquote>
Civil service unions meet this morning (Friday) to deliberate on the latest insult from govt.
The indication by the government that teachers and ROCS don’t matter will likely lead to the collapse of public sector services.
Govt can’t end the year the same way it started.
</blockquote>
Civil servants are currently getting US$175 in allowances but they are pushing for the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries of US$540.

Civil Service Unions Meet After Govt Fails To Review September Salaries

A steep upward review in premiums by service providers and unexplained deductions by the Government have pushed civil servants deeper into poverty.
Last week, some teachers’ bank accounts were credited with as little as ZW$3 000 against a monthly family food basket of six pegged at about ZW$110 000.
A snap survey by the Zimbabwe Independent revealed that some funeral service providers increased premiums to about ZW$11 000.
Unions representing teachers accuse the Government of unilaterally deducting part of teachers’ salaries for taking part in a strike last term.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou told the Zimbabwe Independent that the union was gathering evidence of such deductions for court action. Zhou said:
<blockquote>
I think it is mandatory that the government, through the parent ministry, tells us the criteria they are using to deduct the money. Why do they have to rob a poor man?
The deductions are illegal, callous and a monument to unfair labour practice.
Natural justice dictates that the principle of hearing the other side is fundamental before a decision is taken against anyone.
Therefore, if the employer, in its wisdom or lack of it, thought it had a case against the employees, due process was supposed to have been done, which is an investigation, preference of charges, inviting each employee for a hearing, carrying out the hearing then determination with reasons for the decision.
</blockquote>
An official from the Salary Services Bureau (SSB) told the publication that some teachers are now taking home less after one of the country’s leading funeral service providers increased premiums. Said the official:
<blockquote>
One of the leading funeral service providers increased premiums so much that some members had in excess of ZW$11 000 deducted.
My wife, who is a teacher, had a net salary of ZW$3 676,86 after the funeral service provider deducted ZW$11 160.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwean teachers earn gross monthly salaries ranging between ZW$20 000 (US$53) and ZW$30 000 (US$80).
Their South African counterparts earn an average of R24 000 (US$1 468) a month while teachers in Namibia earn about 12 900 NAD (US$866).
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2022/07/01/deductions-leave-teachers-in-penury/">The Independent</a></h4>

Deductions Push Teachers Deeper Into Poverty

The Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has dismissed the recent announcement by Finance and Economic Development Minister Ncube on teachers’ remuneration and conditions of service as “a high sounding nothing.”
On Monday, Ncube announced a raft of measures to improve teachers’ conditions of service which include a 100% salary increase with effect from 1 July 2022.
Ncube also pledged to restore teachers’ advancements awards, provision of transport facilities to ferry teachers to work in urban and rural areas, provision of 34 000 institutional accommodation units, and the payment of school fees for up to 3 biological children per teaching family and the restoration of advancements awards.
In a statement, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said teachers will not accept any offer that doesn’t include the restoration of their salaries as of October 2018, pegged at US$540. Added Zhou:
<blockquote>
Any attempt to increase the current RTGs salary component ranging from $17 000 to $27 000 by 100% is a monument of Zimbabwean injustice in light of the increase in prices of basic commodities, and susceptibility to erosion by hyperinflation, an increase of medical services, utility bills and accommodation.
</blockquote>
Zhou said the Government’s pledge to provide institutional accommodation for teachers is “a fabrication of the worst order” and ” wishful thinking”.
He also dismissed the $20 000 offered by the government for school fees saying boarding fees are now more than $200 000 per term.
Zhou contended that the Government has no capacity to ferry teachers to workplaces adding, “at any rate, all the ZUPCO buses are not ideal for rural terrain and to assume that teachers are not aware of this is outright rubbish.”

Teachers Scoff At 100% Salary Hike, Accomodation And ZUPCO Pledges

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has finally paid Ordinary Level and Advanced Level markers their dues several months after they completed the exercise.
According to the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), the teachers were paid roughly ZWL$33 000 each.
PTUZ said the ZWL$33 000 was equivalent to US$135 when the examiners signed contracts in February but is now worth only US$55 as the local currency continues to fall in value against the major currencies. Said PTUZ:
<blockquote>
ZIMSEC finally paid O and A Level markers their dues, about RTGS$33 000. When they signed their contracts in February, that was worth US$135. Today it’s US$55.
Both figures induce a sense of shock. Has the profession fallen from grace this much?
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

ZIMSEC Finally Pays O' & A' Level Examination Markers

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has urged teachers’ unions to desist from embarking on industrial action to force the Government to address their grievances.
Unions representing teachers are reportedly planning a full-blown strike in protest over deductions of huge amounts from the salaries of educators who went on strike in February.
Thousands of teachers refused to report for duty when schools opened for the first term on 7 February citing incapacitation.
Teachers are pushing for the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salary of US$540. They are currently earning US$175 plus around RTGS$28 000.
Primary and Secondary Education communications and advocacy director Taungana Ndoro told NewsDay that a strike by teachers will further disrupt learning in schools following disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus. Ndoro said:
<blockquote>
We can’t afford to have another disruption from a job action after all those disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The issues should be resolved amicably.
The ministry does not encourage strikes to resolve the teachers’ concerns. The education system should thrive and it only thrives when children are learning in schools.
The teachers have their representatives who can sit down with the government and talk about their grievances.
There is a need for collaborative efforts to ensure that learners recover all the learning time lost during lockdowns.
</blockquote>
In 2021, the Government announced that it was adopting the no-work no-pay policy after teachers went on strike.
This means that the Government will make deductions from the salaries of teachers who fail to report for duty without justification.
Public Service Commission (PSC) Permanent Secretary Jonathan Wutawunashe confirmed the deductions effected this month.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said that the PSC deducted between $11 000 and $17 000 from teachers.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said that the PSC deducted up to $20 000 from the teachers’ salaries.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/full-blown-teachers-strike-looms/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Another Teachers' Strike Will Disrupt Education System - Ndoro

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has appealed to the Government to intervene and reduce the recently-announced Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) examination fees.
PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe argued that the examination fees are unaffordable to the majority of parents and guardians.
According to a circular from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Grade 7 candidates will pay $4 388 while the government will pay the other $5 362, giving a total of $9 750.
Ordinary Level candidates will pay $1 620 while the government will pay $1 980 per subject, giving a total of $3 600.
Advanced Level candidates will now pay $3 240 while the government will pay $3 960, giving a total of $7 200.
In 2021, O’ Level candidates paid $742 per subject while A’ Level candidates paid $1 080 per subject.
In a letter dated 10 May 2022, addressed to the Primary and Secondary Education ministry and copied to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the Finance ministry and ZIMSEC, Majongwe said:
<blockquote>
While in theory, the figures may look minuscule given the loss in the value of the Zim dollar, it should not make us lose sight of the egregious fact that these figures are still not affordable to the generality of the candidates and their funders.
You may be aware of the figures we produced last week, which indicate the unfortunate and shocking statistic that the ZIMSEC O’ Level candidature has been falling by steep levels since 2017, from a high of 332 473 in November 2017, to a low of 163 179 in 2021, a mind-blowing 51%.
The conclusion that can be drawn from this is that more and more learners are dropping from school as a result of endemic poverty pervading society.
</blockquote>
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro referred all questions from NewsDay to ZIMSEC spokesperson Nicholette Dlamini.
Dlamini said she had not seen the letter from PTUZ and that ZIMSEC has not yet set examination fees for 2022.
However, Majongwe said school heads had already ordered pupils to start paying the examination fees based on the circular of the proposed fee structure.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/ptuz-appeals-high-exam-fees/">NewsDay</a></h4>

PTUZ Appeals High ZIMSEC Examination Fees

The Government says it will tighten measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, especially at the country’s borders.
This follows a rise in new COVID-19 cases being recorded in neighbouring South Africa and the detection of new Omicron sub-variants in Botswana.
Botswana recently detected new Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, which are dominating the 6 000 new cases per day being recorded in South Africa.
The Deputy Minister for Health and Childcare, John Mangwiro said, the country will adopt new measures to prevent the spread of the virus. He said:
<blockquote>
The regulations that will be enforced to contain the pandemic this time are different from those we have been using in the past.
Government will strengthen its strategies to stop the spread of the pandemic.
</blockquote>
Data shows that the country was recording an average of 63 new cases per day, compared to 40 in the previous week.
On Wednesday, Cabinet was informed that the COVID-19 hospital bed occupancy rate increased from 1% last week to 1.6% though there were no intensive care unit admissions countrywide.
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association (MDPPZ) president Johannes Marisa said Zimbabwe could slide into the fifth wave of coronavirus infections. Said Marisa:
<blockquote>
It is highly likely that we are going to face a similar predicament as our neighbour South Africa.
There is a high probability that we will be in trouble with the fifth wave shortly.
If we are to increase the testing capacity, we are going to see a sharp rise in the number of patients who test positive for COVID-19.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe told NewsDay that there is general complacency in schools which may result in a spike in new infections. Said Mjongwe:
<blockquote>
We are receiving reports that pupils are no longer wearing masks, while others no longer have sanitising facilities on their premises.
It will be catastrophic if the government does not put in place measures to contain the spread of the disease.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/covid-19-restrictions-to-be-tightened/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Zimbabwe To Tighten Coronavirus Control Measures

The Minister of Public Service and Social Welfare, Paul Mavima, has warned teachers against holding the nation at ransom by threatening to go on strike each time schools open.
Speaking to NewsDay on Friday, 29 April, Mavima said that the Government will not hesitate to invoke the “no-work, no-pay” policy for teachers who are planning to absent themselves when schools open next week. Mavima said:
<blockquote>
That’s not acceptable, we can’t have a situation whereby each time we are about to open schools, teachers say they want to go on strike. It doesn’t work like that.
There is a whole architecture of negotiations with the Public Service Commission and their federation, which meets Government to discuss conditions of service for civil servants.
So it’s not acceptable for teachers to hold the nation at ransom each time we open schools.
</blockquote>
However, teachers’ representatives insist that teachers are financially incapacitated and cannot report for work.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said:
<blockquote>
The Constitution provides for the right to strike. Mavima cannot criminalise the right to strike, and by the way, teachers never said they wanted to strike.
They are on collective job action because they are incapacitated. The cost of living is high and has made it impossible for teachers and other workers to commit themselves to their duties.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe asked the Government to urgently honour its $20 000 fees promise.
Last term, the Government pledged $20 000 in school fees for teachers’ biological children and housing loans.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/04/be-patient-teachers-told/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Govt Reminds Teachers Of "No-work, no-pay” Policy Ahead Of Second Term

The Government has suspended more than 1 000 teachers for three months for failing to report for duty during the 2022 first term.
The teachers, who cited incapacitation, refused to work when the 2022 first term commenced and were then directed to report for duty by 22 February or face suspension.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president, Obert Masaraure confirmed the suspensions. He said:
<blockquote>
Overall, 1 000 teachers were suspended for three months without pay with 55 members coming from ARTUZ.
The government is acting like a slave driver who disregards the teachers’ rights.
What they only want is for teachers to work without raising a red flag about the working conditions.
We are still languishing in poverty as the parallel market exchange rate has skyrocketed to US$1:ZWL$300 as we are getting less than ZWL$250 per month for our toil.
</blockquote>
Masauraure also decried the Government’s failure to fulfil its commitment to pay fees for three biological children for teachers. He said:
<blockquote>
We have made partial payments to various schools that our children attend but nothing has been paid for as our children were returned home for not paying full fees.
How can we continue negotiating with an employer that continues to put fake promises on the table?
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said teachers will not be intimidated by the government. He said:
<blockquote>
We are not bothered and worried by the government’s antics of intimidating union bodies, headmasters and unleashing youth militia on teachers in rural areas.
We will weather the storm and fight for our members’ plight.
</blockquote>
The suspended teachers were demanding the restoration of their US$540 pre-October 2018 salaries.
<h4>More: <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/govt-suspends-over-1000-teachers/">Business Times</a></h4>

Govt Suspends Over 1 000 Teachers Over 'Incapacitation'

Teachers’ unions have accused the government of falsifying the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) 2021 Advanced Level pass rate to make it appear is as the country’s education sector is in a healthy state.
ZIMSEC announced on Tuesday that the country recorded an 84.67% pass rate for “A” Level examinations, which was 3.68% higher compared to the previous year (2020).
However, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou told NewsDay that the 3.68% increase does not reflect the true picture on the ground. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
We believe the results were a political decision by the government to paint a good picture of the education sector.
I think the government, through (ZIMSEC), tries by all means to push for an agenda.
We need broad engagement to come up with the new curriculum, and we need to revamp the education system so that it can provide survival skills after education.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said the percentage pass rate is fake. Said Masaraure:
<blockquote>
We are all aware that the students never got prepared for the examinations, and there is a plot to paint that everything is normal in the education sector.
</blockquote>
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro refuted the unions’ allegations. He said:
<blockquote>
Facts do not lie, and I repeat that. No matter how they will try to tarnish the image of the government, facts don’t lie.
</blockquote>
Teachers’ unions are angry with the Government over its refusal to restore teachers’ salaries to the pre-October 2018 salary levels.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/04/govts-attempting-to-paint-a-good-picture-in-education-sector/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Teachers Cast Doubt On ZIMSEC "A" Level Pass Rate

Teachers say the Government has failed to honour its promise to pay schools fees for their children, with the 2022 first term ending on 7 April.
Last month the Government pledged to pay school fees for children of teachers with a maximum of three children per teacher getting $20 000 each, per term.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe told NewsDay that teachers are yet to benefit from the facility. He said:
<blockquote>
There is nothing yet. Not even the disbursement template exists. Once again, the government is short-changing its employees.
There is neither a policy nor procedure to make the teachers benefit. The government now has a tendency of throwing benefits that benefit no one.
Last time there was a COVID-19 allowance that was meant to assist those who contracted the disease at work, but until today, none of the 1 588 of our members got a cent even after contracting the deadly disease while those from other ministries benefitted.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure also confirmed that the fees are yet to be paid. Said Masaraure:
<blockquote>
It is sad to note that the government promised benefits that have not materialised up to this time.
The government pledged to pay tuition fees for teachers’ children beginning March 1, but these fees are yet to be paid.
</blockquote>
However, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro denied allegations that the Government had failed to fulfil its promise, saying the funds were still being processed. He said:
<blockquote>
It is not true that the government has failed to honour its pledge. Due process is being carried out and we have to wait for it to take place.
Remember we have a substantial number of teachers, over 140 000 of them and, therefore, due diligence cannot take place overnight.
</blockquote>
The Government made the pledge during a National Joint Negotiation Committee (NJNC) meeting after teachers went on strike citing incapacitation.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/govt-teachers-in-fresh-showdown/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Govt Yet To Pay School Fees For Teachers' Children

Teachers’ unions have urged the Government to reconsider its decision to bar some of their members from conducting the upcoming census because they did not report for duty when schools reopened for the first term on 7 February.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education directed the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) not to consider teachers who were on strike for the 2022 census exercise scheduled for 7 to 30 April.
Teachers who take part in the exercise will get allowances and the majority of educators would be keen on being involved as they are poorly paid.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said ZimStats, and not the Ministry of Education, should decide on who to draft for the census. Said Majongwe:
<blockquote>
As far as I am concerned, it is up to ZimStats to choose who it wants to employ because this responsibility should not be based on any precedence.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said the Government should stop punishing teachers for incapacitation. He said:
<blockquote>
The retribution will demoralise teachers and further cripple the education sector. You cannot punish teachers who declared incapacitation by denying them other sources of income.
Government is encouraged to sober up and act responsibly. If it escalates repression, we will be forced to escalate the fight for a living wage.
</blockquote>
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro insisted that absconding teachers will not take part in the national census. He said:
<blockquote>
Teachers can make their recommendations, but the ministry makes policies. Government maintains that teachers who were not reporting for duty will not take part in the census.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/dont-be-vindictive-teachers-tell-govt/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Govt Should Not Tell ZimStats Who To Draft For Census - Teachers

The Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) says the 2022 first term is a wasted period and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Government should shoulder the blame.
In a statement, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said there was virtually no learning in schools from the 7th to the 22nd of February as teachers were incapacitated to report for work. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
… the Ministry lied to cabinet that schools were ready to open on 7th of February when teachers were grossly incapacitated.
There was virtually no learning from 7th of February to 22 February as teachers were incapacitated to report for work, a condition that PTUZ and other Unions conveyed to PSC and line Ministry in written communiques.
</blockquote>
Zhou said even after 22 February, there has not been any meaningful learning in schools due to a number of factors.
These include marking Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examinations until the 10th of March and preparations for the 26 March by-elections. 
Zhou said some teachers are currently involved with the ZIMSEC and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) processes. He added:
<blockquote>
… the greatest stumbling block to learning has been the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s heavy-handedness in handling the incapacitation of teachers.
As much as teachers started to report for work after getting money in February, Ministry and government want to profess ignorance of teachers’ incapacitation and have embarked on haphazardous meddling and muddling attempts to discipline teachers for being incapacitated.
</blockquote>
Zhou also urged both PTUZ members and non-members to be careful in how they respond to school heads if they demand that they explain why they did not report for duty when schools opened last month.
He said PTUZ members must never write anything on their own, as PTUZ legal department will draft any note on their behalf.
Zhou also called on all school heads to always act professionally and desist from using the issue of disciplinary action to settle personal vendettas with some teachers.
<h4>More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

2022 First Term A wasted Period - PTUZ

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has barred members of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) from marching to Parliament this Friday to submit a petition in a move aimed at pushing the Government to improve teachers’ working conditions.
The PTUZ wrote to the Clerk of Parliament requesting Parliament to facilitate the handing over of the petition to relevant office bearers.
PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe had requested police escort in a letter addressed to the police dated 25 February 2022.
In response to Majongwe’s request on Tuesday, the acting officer commanding Harare Central district one Chidakwa said PTUZ should send a few individuals to deliver the petition. Wrote Chidhakwa:
<blockquote>
Please be advised that I am not in a position to sanction the march due to the following reasons.
Some rogue elements may take advantage of the situation and hijack your march and further their own ill-conceived agenda.
</blockquote>
Majongwe told NewsDay on Thursday that the PTUZ was considering taking the legal route against the police ban, saying “there is no justification to stop us from handing over the petition.”
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/police-turn-down-teachers-bid-to-march-to-parly/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Police Block Teachers’ Planned March To Parliament

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) plans to march to Parliament on 4 March to deliver a petition in a move aimed at pushing the Government to improve teachers’ working conditions.
In a letter addressed to the Clerk of Parliament, PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe requested Parliament to facilitate the handing over of the petition to relevant office bearers. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>
PTUZ intends to deliver a petition to the Speaker of the National Assembly as well as the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare as well as that of Primary and Secondary Education.
We intend to hold a procession on March 4, 2022, along routes we have informed the regulatory authorities about, but culminating in our handing over of a petition to the three offices at Parliament.
We request your office to facilitate the presence of the relevant office bearers when we hand over the petition at 1100hrs on the day.
</blockquote>
PTUZ has also informed the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) of its plans to march between 10 am and 12 PM and asked for a police escort.
Earlier this month the Government offered civil servants, including teachers, a 20% salary hike, US$100 cash and other incentives.
Teachers’ unions rejected the offer as too little but the Government threatened to fire all school heads and teachers who had been on strike since schools opened for the first term on 7 February.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/02/teachers-plan-march-to-parliament/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Teachers Plan To March To Parliament

The majority of teachers in public schools have reported for duty after the Public Service Commission (PSC) threatened to fire them.
Last week, the PSC gave striking teachers up to 22 February to resume work or else be regarded as voluntarily resigned.
In an interview with State media on Tuesday, Primary and Secondary Education communication and advocacy director, Taungana Ndoro expressed satisfaction with the teacher turnout. He said:
<blockquote>
We have received reports from all the provinces and we are happy to say that teachers who turned for duty were more than 60 per cent and that’s more than the number of teachers who turned out when schools reopened.
This is an encouraging number and we will continue monitoring the situation.
</blockquote>
Most teachers in public schools failed to report to duty when schools opened for the 2022 first term on 7 February saying they were financially incapacitated.
They have been demanding pre-2018 US dollar salaries of up to US$540 but the Government offered them US$100 in addition to a US$75 COVID-19 risk allowance and a 20 per cent increment on the Zimbabwe dollar component of their salaries.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) national secretary-general Goodwill Taderera also said the majority of their members had reported for duty across the country. He added:
<blockquote>
You see, we are obviously not happy with the salary we are getting as teachers. We are still maintaining that we go back to the pre-2018 salary structure.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) leader, Takavafira Zhou, said that they had resolved that teachers return to work while they continue pushing for the restoration of their salaries. He said:
<blockquote>
Collated evidence from provinces revealed that the best protection from the employer is the unity of purpose in diversity and therefore teachers must return to schools as we continue fighting for US$540.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/marjority-of-teachers-flock-back-to-work/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Majority Of Teachers Return Back To Work

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has blamed the Government for the rise in coronavirus infections in schools, just two weeks after schools opened for the 2022 first term.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the spike in new COVID-19 infections in schools could have been avoided if the Government had ensured that pupils were tested prior to the reopening of schools. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
One of our key variables for the successful opening of schools has been our call for government prioritisation of the health and safety of teachers, pupils and ancillary staff.
That the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education ordered the conglomeration of teachers, pupils and ancillary staff without any testing has already led to a quantum leap of COVID-19 cases in schools over the past two days, with more than 132 cases reported in primary schools in Masvingo and Matabeleland.
COVID-19 pandemic is real just as the incapacitation of teachers. As PTUZ leaders, we cherish genuine feedback that comes from flag bearers of our incapacitation struggle in all the provinces.
We also continue to liaise with our colleagues in Fozeu [Federation of Zimbabwe Educators Union] and the global community in order to find the best way forward.
</blockquote>
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, on Friday, 18 February 2022, 432 new cases were recorded countrywide, of which 66 are from outbreaks detected from schools, with Masvingo Province leading with 41 cases.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/02/5th-covid-19-wave-brewing/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Teachers Blame Govt For Spike In Coronavirus Cases In Schools

Some teachers who have not been taking classes since last week citing incapacitation, have accused the Zimbabwe Teachers Union (ZIMTA) and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) of betraying them.
One aggrieved teacher who spoke to NewsDay on Monday castigated the unions for allegedly conniving with the government to suspend them. Said the teacher:
<blockquote>
ZIMTA and PTUZ are selling out but we are not going to go back to work as we are still incapacitated.
</blockquote>
However, ZIMTA secretary-general Goodwill Taderera denied selling out the teachers. He said:
<blockquote>
I wouldn’t call it selling out. We are just working on what was discussed with the National Joint Negotiating Committee (NJNC).
There is a circular that ZIMTA put out urging teachers to go back to work.
</blockquote>
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou yesterday also denied the allegations that his union has let down teachers. Zhou said:
<blockquote>
I have a track record to protect. To whom will I even sell the struggle when the government does not want to see my face in any meeting as they accuse me of supporting the regime change agenda?
I cannot salivate at ZANU PF predatory leaders, thuggery and thievery.
</blockquote>
The majority of teachers and headmasters at public schools initially rejected the Government’s 20% salary increment to all civil servants and a US$100 allowance to be converted from the local currency salary component.
They vowed not to return to work until the Government restored their pre-October 2018 salary of US$540.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Evelyn Ndlovu responded by suspending all the striking teachers, but the move has been challenged in court.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/02/teachers-accuse-unions-of-selling-out/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Teachers Accuse Unions Of 'Selling Out'

Several teachers’ unions have refuted claims by the Government that they have returned to work, saying that can only happen when their grievances have been addressed.
Teachers are demanding the restoration of the pre-2018 salaries that were pegged at US$540 per month.
Earlier on Monday, the Government announced that teachers had resumed duties following the presentation of what it described as a “lucrative package”.
According to Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA), the largest union representing teachers in the country, teachers now earn US$375 per month which they said is a positive movement towards the restoration of the pre-October 2018 salary level of US$540 for D1 grade then.
However, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe told New Zimbabwe that teachers are still incapacitated and therefore cannot return to work. Majongwe said:
<blockquote>
Teachers are not going back to work. They are saying pay us what we asked for and we will be of service to the country. Without that, it is going to be difficult.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) secretary-general Robson Chere said:
<blockquote>
Teachers have defied the Government order, they have defied the command approach of forcing them back to school and are not in schools.
Teachers are still at home. They are incapacitated and the demand is very clear: a US$540 salary and a restoration of pre-October 2018 salaries.
</blockquote>
The Government recently awarded civil servants a 20% increase in the Zimbabwe Dollar salary component backdated to 1 January 2022.
In addition, US$100 per month in hard currency will be paid to every civil servant with effect from the 1st of March 2022.
The Government said it will pay school fees for up to three biological children per teaching family, with an upper limit of ZWL20 000 per child per term, paid directly to the school.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/teachers-deny-gvt-claims-they-are-back-at-work/">New Zimbabwe</a></h4>

Teachers' Unions Deny Govt Claims They Are Back At Work

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has called on the government to give teachers a financial rescue package that will sustain them until their next payday.
In a statement this Monday, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said teachers are willing to report for duty but are financially incapacitated and therefore they cannot travel to their workstations. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
As PTUZ, we appeal to Government to mellow down to a more constructive approach, permeable to reason and facts.
Government must urgently offer teachers a rescue package that can take them to the next payday.
However, by the end of a time-framed short period, Government can commit itself to provide a panacea to teachers&#8217; legitimate concern over the restoration of the purchasing power parity of their salaries.
Without such an envisaged rescue package it will be mission impossible for many teachers to report for work.
Teachers&#8217; incapacitation is real and government must bail out teachers.
</blockquote>
Zhou bemoaned the government&#8217;s failure to restore the purchasing power parity of teachers&#8217; salaries since October 2018.
Teachers want US$540 per month or its equivalent in Zimbabwe dollars, a demand government officials have consistently dismissed as unrealistic. Added Zhou:
<blockquote>
The November 2020 promises to redress teachers&#8217; salary anomalies by January 2021 were high sounding nothing, and even the extension of such promises to June 2021 failed to materialise.
Teachers are parents too, and with some earning as little as $21000 this month, we wonder how government expect them to pay school fees as high as $62000 in government schools this term.
Teachers are ready to report for work even if they are given a mere rescue package to enable them to function up to payday when we expect the government to holistically resolve the long-standing challenges facing teachers.
The ball is, therefore, in Government&#8217;s hands, to positively intervene, engage teacher unions, pay a rescue package and ensure the successful opening of schools.
</blockquote>
Schools opened their doors for examination classes, that is, Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six, today and the rest will resume classes on 6 September.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Teachers Request For A Rescue Package From Govt

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has slammed the government for announcing the dates for the resumption of classes barely 24 hours after extending the COVID-19 lockdown.
On Tuesday evening, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced the extension of the national lockdown by another two weeks.
But following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Mutsvangwa said examination classes would open on 30 August 2021, while non-examination classes would open on 6 September.
In a statement yesterday, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the government had &#8220;ambushed&#8221; teachers and parents as it did not give them time to prepare for the reopening of schools.
Below is Zhou&#8217;s statement on teachers&#8217; reaction to the government&#8217;s school reopening time frames in full:
<blockquote>
We have not yet received formal communication from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in terms of time frames for the reopening of schools, but understand that such time frames were given today by the government.
Against even its own indicators, we are really surprised that the government has enunciated that examination classes would open on 30 August 2021, while non-examination classes would open on 6 September.
This is surely an ambush, a day after the government had even enunciated an extension of lockdown for two weeks which ordinarily entailed that the issue of opening of schools would be determined after two weeks.
Teachers Unions also made suggestions for the successful reopening of schools and one would have thought that there would be an attempt to reconcile various Union submissions before the government would announce the dates for reopening of schools.
However, this has not happened as the tragedy in life is that those who make decisions may not necessarily have ideas, while those with ideas (teachers) do not make decisions.
Our projection as Ptuz was to the effect that schools could open around September payday taking advantage of hot temperatures and more vaccination to contribute to the decline of COVID-19 cases and giving the government adequate time to provide covid abatement equipment to schools, let alone providing running water to many schools.
It was also our hope that schools would open after the government would have addressed the quandary of teachers&#8217; starvation wages.
Now that the government has come with this ambush, disregarding logic and common sense, and bearing in mind that teachers are grossly incapacitated and cannot even travel to their respective working stations, let alone pay school fees, it is incumbent upon them to respond to government&#8217;s enunciation.
We, therefore, urge PTUZ members in particular and teachers in general to communicate their response over the untimely announcement for the opening of schools to their respective district leaders across the country and the districts to the respective provinces, and in turn the provinces to PTUZ HQ.
As PTUZ leadership, we are merely conveyor belts of teachers&#8217; interests and feelings and will resolutely and resiliently stand by resolutions that teachers would make.
Hope teachers would treat this communique with the urgency it deserves.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Teachers Shocked By School Reopening Time Frames

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said public schools are not ready for opening, contrary to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Matema&#8217;s assertions.
In a statement on Tuesday, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said according to preliminary results from its ongoing national survey, 98% of the schools are unprepared, with only 2% of schools in private and former group A schools prepared for the second term.
This comes after Mathema recently declared that most schools in Masvingo Province were ready to reopen.
Mathema also informed Parliament that most schools were ready to reopen and the Ministry was only waiting for the green light from Cabinet to open schools.
However, Zhou asserted that the level of unpreparedness is epitomised by the following:
<ul>
<li>Bloated classes in schools</li>
<li>No new infrastructural development in all schools</li>
<li>Would be congested hostels in boarding schools</li>
<li>No recruitment of new teachers in spite of existing school vacancies</li>
<li>Difficulties of ensuring social distance in terms of WHO standards and Ministry of Education standard operation procedures</li>
<li>No running water or reliable source of water in many schools</li>
<li>Lack of covid abatement equipment in schools</li>
<li>Vaccination of 5. 6% of the 140000 teachers, against 65% considered safe to combat the spread of covid 19.</li>
<li>High attritional weekly and monthly death rates of teachers</li>
<li>No vaccination of pupils above 16 years</li>
<li>No engagement with teachers who in essence are the linchpin behind the successful opening of schools</li>
<li>No concerted efforts by the government to address the welfare of teachers and even salary discrepancies with other government workers.</li>
</ul>
The PTUZ has thus called for the reopening of schools after mid-September, based on the premise that more vaccinations and high temperatures would have by then lowered COVID-19 cases. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
Any rushed decision for face to face learning in schools could be suicidal and worse than the current challenges.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Consider Reopening Schools After Mid-September, Teachers Tell Govt

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) says it is against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for civil servants, in particular, teachers.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou on Monday said that while their organisation encourages teachers to be inoculated, they are against compulsory vaccination. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>As much, as PTUZ, we encourage teachers to be vaccinated, we will oppose any attempt to make such vaccination mandatory to civil servants in general and teachers in particular.</blockquote>
This comes after the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, reportedly said COVID-19 vaccination must be mandatory for all civil servants.
Zhou asserted that the government must desist from adopting a commandist approach when dealing with professionals like teachers, nurses, doctors and the rest of civil servants.
He urged authorities to invest in other motivational methods than merely banking on the use of force which would seriously violate the rights of workers. Zhou said:
<blockquote>We will resist any attempt to favour teachers over COVID-19 vaccination, and not over the restoration of the purchasing power parity of their salaries.
Any preferential treatment must start with salaries and not COVID-19 vaccination. This is not to imply that vaccination is not important, but only to say the health and safety of teachers go beyond mere vaccination.</blockquote>
Zhou lamented the fact that teachers are paid far much less than army, police and CIO officers.
He said if the government was really concerned about the security and welfare of teachers, it should start by ensuring that their salaries are at par with those in the security services before attempting to force them to get the COVID-19 jab.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

COVID-19 Vaccination Should Be Voluntary - Teachers

A senior MDC Alliance official has called on Zimbabweans to put the interests of the country before their allegiance to political parties.
Takavafira Zhou, who is MDC Alliance spokesperson for Midlands, said the wedge between his party and the ruling ZANU PF continued to hold the country back. He was addressing journalists in Kwekwe at the weekend. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>The challenge with Zimbabweans is to perceive themselves as either ZANU PF or MDC; that is useless.
The most important aspect is that you might be MDC, you might be ZANU PF. The crucial issue where efforts must converge is in terms of ensuring that the nation or Zimbabwe at least progresses, that our economy is ticking, that the livelihoods of Zimbabweans are improving.</blockquote>
Zhou called for dialogue among Zimbabwe&#8217;s political parties saying this is important in moving the country forward. He said:
<blockquote>Whatever political parties anyone can belong to, the most important thing is that there must be dialogue, because we are foremost Zimbabweans and we must care to ensure that there is a better Zimbabwe and there is dialogue among political parties.</blockquote>
Zhou, who is also the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president, said President Emmerson Mnangagwa should engage MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa as well as other leaders in dialogue.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/partisan-politics-should-be-subordinate-to-patriotism-zhou/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Partisan Politics Should Be Subordinate To Patriotism – MDC-A Official

The President of the Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ), <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Takavafira_Zhou">Dr Takavafira Zhou</a> has called upon the government to urgently address @teachers&#8217; starvation salaries.&#8221; We present Zhou&#8217;s statement in full below.
<blockquote>Government Must Urgently Address Teachers&#8217; Starvation Salaries
18 May 2021
In a move that defies logic gvt has since the opening of schools ignored calls by teachers to capacitate them so that they can report for work daily. This is quite surprising given the urgency of bringing school operations to normalcy in order to ensure that meaningful learning and teaching ensues in schools. We note with surprise this business as usual lackadaisical approach by gvt officials at a time that declining of pass rates at Grade 7, form 4, and U6th in 2020 point to limited contact time with teachers due to teachers&#8217; incapacitation among many other factors.
A considerable number of teachers were mourning instead of smiling today, as their pay day is a constant reminder of their poverty and misery. More than 20 000 teacher have resigned from the profession since January 2021 out of frustration. This is not enviable, more so give the fact that the teachers&#8217; deficit in schools was already more than 50 000. Worse still, recruitment by the Ministry has been at a low ebb of 3000 per year. The teaching profession is certainly burning and need an urgent address. Incapacitation is real and calls for an urgent intervention if we are to prevent the worst disaster in terms of results for the 2021 academic year.
As Ptuz, we humbly appeal for a Presidential intervention to save our education from total collapse in 2021. Any delay will have disastrous effects as more and more experienced teachers are living the profession out of frustration, while those remaining have mentally resigned although they may physically report for work twice a week. This is a dangerous situation for the country as our best asset, viz, youths, have no mentors all the time. Their prospects for a better future are increasingly becoming negligible. The basis for better results must be laid down now. Sadly, the majority of Zimbabweans will raise their voices next year when the current Grade 7, form 4 and U6th pupils would get worst results. The time to break the impasse between teachers and PSC is now. It&#8217;s either we do it now or else we continue to stand idly by and watch systematic educational vandalism by gvt officials.
We need an educational hygiene now, and the country&#8217;s President must ensure that the hygiene must become a reality. Any delay would be disastrous.
As much as the teachers are committed to their work, they are grossly incapacitated. They are doing a lot for this generation by reporting for 2 days per week after getting salaries pegged between $13300 and $23000.
Venceremos
Dr Takavafira M. Zhou (Ptuz President)</blockquote>

<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/07/schools-re-introduce-teachers-incentives/">Schools Re-introduce Teachers’ Incentives</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/07/teachers-unions-ban-extra-lessons/">Teachers Unions Ban Extra Lessons</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/24/if-they-want-to-kill-us-they-can-kill-teachers-uncompromising/">‘If They Want To Kill Us, They Can Kill’ – Teachers Uncompromising</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/21/teachers-scoff-at-25-salary-increment/">Teachers Scoff At 25% Salary Increment</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/20/teachers-respond-to-govts-no-work-no-pay-threats/">Teachers Respond To Govt’s ‘No Work, No Pay’ Threats</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/22/teachers-protest-poor-salaries-as-schools-reopen/">Teachers Protest Poor Salaries As Schools Reopen</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Urgently Address Teachers' Starvation Salaries" - Union

The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has warned the government against adopting a ‘command’ approach in dealing with the sensitive issue of reopening schools in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the government should instead establish an inclusive COVID-19 schools’ assessment taskforce to ascertain the level of preparedness in schools. He said:
<blockquote>A task force comprising teacher unions and ministries of education and health officials must be put in place to carry a Covid-19 risk assessment in schools and the levels of preparedness by schools for opening.
Any rushed decision to open schools before the above contingent measures are put in place would be suicidal, irresponsible and dereliction of duty by government.
Our position is that we must urgently put these measures in place, after which we can then discuss the opening of schools.</blockquote>
Zhou also implored the government to, among other things, restore the salaries of teachers’ purchasing power parity to US$520, to rein in on schools charging exorbitant fees and also to build new infrastructure at schools and employ more teachers in order to guarantee physical distancing.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/ptuz-calls-for-covid-19-schools-assessment-before-opening/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

PTUZ Calls For Risk Assessment Before Reopening Schools

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