Branton Matondo
Kwekwe– Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has moved in to lobby for the restoration of education parity by the government.
The union indicated that 50 percent of prospective Ordinary level pupils were unable to sit for examinations, while 60 percent of students in Bulawayo province alone dropped out before sitting for their final year examinations.
Addressing teachers and parents during all stakeholders engagement meeting in Kwekwe last week, ARTUZ president, Obert Masarure said it was high time education gets democratized and respected or else teachers will drop tools and hold placards.
“We are tired of employers who act like Father Christmas, employers who surprisingly in the absence of dialogue dictate terms and conditions for our comrades.
“Our education system is in tantrum because there is lack of democracy. As a union, we have gathered reports where prospective school heads are given the seat just because they have churned the slogan,” said Masaraure.
He further criticized Cecilia Alexander’s management at Apex Council saying her conduct was more of a perennial dictator who does not know how to handle teachers’ issues.
“One Cecilia Alexander does not respect the grievances of our fellow comrades. She has perennially turned the office into her own,” added Masarure.
He further advised all teachers to head to the salary camp in Harare and gather in their numbers for the final decision from the council.
Highlighting on the progress of the Continuous Assessment of Learning Activities (CALA) programme, Masarure said that both of them are not realistic and they do not respond to the status of our students.
“CALA programmes are supposed to be continuous meaning that a student is assessed consistently from form one to the final year. However, students compiled practical assignments in two weeks and then results are compiled in the same space,” Masarure added.
A petition compiled by union representatives in Midlands was passed to former Member of Parliament for Mbizo constituency, Settlement Chikwinya in which they were directly airing out their grievances.
“We are worried about the massive spreading of Covid-19 in schools, angered by slave wages, failure to receive invigilation allowances, infuriated by the 12% budget allocation.
“Teachers labelled their grievances as chief hindrances to education,” read the petition.
In his remarks, Chikwinya said the Zimbabwean education system was being haunted by the dual system of examinations.
“Most of the judiciary, executive and legislature members have children who study abroad or study locally but embracing Cambridge curriculum.
“As long as there is a dual system dictating the examination platform, your employers will approach your grievances minimally or not approach at all because there is no emotional attachment. Government should advance ZIMSEC and the local education system so that it meets international standards.
“Shun fear, participate in constituency platforms and invigorate engagement so as to enhance chances of influencing decisions for a better cause. We have Constituency Development Committees (CDCs) in various constituencies across the nation. Teachers should participate in those and influence key decisions for the betterment of their profession,” he added.
