Dr Zhou
Diana
Gondongwe
Gondongwe
MASVINGO – Just a few days after government and
the Apex Council agreed on a so-called once-off RTGS$400 cushion for all civil
servants, many teachers in Masvingo have silently embarked on a go-slow as they
plead incapacitation due to eroded salaries.
the Apex Council agreed on a so-called once-off RTGS$400 cushion for all civil
servants, many teachers in Masvingo have silently embarked on a go-slow as they
plead incapacitation due to eroded salaries.
Although there are still negotiations between the
two parties on the cost of living adjustment, the $400 cushion has been widely
criticised as a mockery for government employees who had demanded a salary
equivalent to US$475.
two parties on the cost of living adjustment, the $400 cushion has been widely
criticised as a mockery for government employees who had demanded a salary
equivalent to US$475.
TellZim News has learnt that teachers at some
schools just clock in at schools as a formality but do not do the work expected
of them.
schools just clock in at schools as a formality but do not do the work expected
of them.
A few weeks ago, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe
(PTUZ) threatened that its members would soon report for work for only four
days per month of government failed to adjust teachers’ salaries.
(PTUZ) threatened that its members would soon report for work for only four
days per month of government failed to adjust teachers’ salaries.
When contacted for comment Masvingo Provincial
Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga promised to investigate the issue.
Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga promised to investigate the issue.
“I have not received any reports about teachers not
working. Tell me schools where this is happening and I will do my investigations,”
said Chitiga.
working. Tell me schools where this is happening and I will do my investigations,”
said Chitiga.
PTUZ president Dr Takavafira Zhou said teachers’
salaries needed to be equivalent to their pre-October 2018 US$450 for them to
work as usual.
salaries needed to be equivalent to their pre-October 2018 US$450 for them to
work as usual.
“Our reasoned opinion is that the government must
pay teachers an equivalent of their pre-October US$450 and on top of that the
government must pay a rescue package of US$200 per month.
pay teachers an equivalent of their pre-October US$450 and on top of that the
government must pay a rescue package of US$200 per month.
“Our teachers must also be provided with land to
build houses, and three children of every teacher must be exempted from paying
school fees,” said Zhou.
build houses, and three children of every teacher must be exempted from paying
school fees,” said Zhou.
October 2018 marked the beginning of increased inflationary
pressures in the economy, leading to government dumping its ridiculous 1:1 declaration
of parity in the value of the bond note and the US dollar.
pressures in the economy, leading to government dumping its ridiculous 1:1 declaration
of parity in the value of the bond note and the US dollar.
