…PTUZ raises red flag over abuse of teachers
…credibility of results compromised
Upenyu
Chaota
Chaota
The Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has
taken the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) to task over what it
considers to an abuse of examiners marking both ‘A’ and ‘O’ Level examinations.
taken the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) to task over what it
considers to an abuse of examiners marking both ‘A’ and ‘O’ Level examinations.
The teacher’s union claims examiners are getting only
two slices of bread and beans for breakfast contrary to the initial agreement.
two slices of bread and beans for breakfast contrary to the initial agreement.
PTUZ president Dr Takavafira Zhou told TellZim News
that Zimsec had initially agreed to give examiners breakfast $40 worth of
breakfast.
that Zimsec had initially agreed to give examiners breakfast $40 worth of
breakfast.
He said the breakfast would be made up of four slices
of bread with butter, coffee, one boiled egg and baked beans.
of bread with butter, coffee, one boiled egg and baked beans.
Zhou said examiners were also promised decent lunch
and $57 dinner allowances while those who were not offered accommodation were
promised $167 for both dinner and accommodation.
and $57 dinner allowances while those who were not offered accommodation were
promised $167 for both dinner and accommodation.
“What boggles the mind is that Zimsec is going back on
the initial agreement. We had a meeting with them and we agreed on all the
logistics but to our surprise, our examiners are being treated like prisoners.
the initial agreement. We had a meeting with them and we agreed on all the
logistics but to our surprise, our examiners are being treated like prisoners.
“They are being given only two dry slices of bread
with baked beans and tea. The tea sometimes does not even have milk. For
breakfast, we had agreed on a decent meal with a value of $40 but that is not
what is happening.
with baked beans and tea. The tea sometimes does not even have milk. For
breakfast, we had agreed on a decent meal with a value of $40 but that is not
what is happening.
“Our examiners were supposed to be given four slices
of bread with butter, baked beans, a boiled egg and coffee,” said Zhou.
of bread with butter, baked beans, a boiled egg and coffee,” said Zhou.
He said the lunch being served to examiners was
substandard and that was demoralising them to such an extent that final results
could be compromised.
substandard and that was demoralising them to such an extent that final results
could be compromised.
“We were promised to be served a decent lunch but what
we are seeing is deplorable. The lunch is substandard and sometimes it comes in
short supply, with some examiners having to wait for supper.
we are seeing is deplorable. The lunch is substandard and sometimes it comes in
short supply, with some examiners having to wait for supper.
“The dinner allowances were pegged at $57 but our
examiners are being paid $54 and we wonder what is going on at Zimsec.
examiners are being paid $54 and we wonder what is going on at Zimsec.
“Those who have not been offered accommodation are
being paid $74 in dinner and accommodation allowances instead of the agreed
$167. We are very disturbed by these reports and we are compiling a report so
that we can confront Zimsec.
being paid $74 in dinner and accommodation allowances instead of the agreed
$167. We are very disturbed by these reports and we are compiling a report so
that we can confront Zimsec.
“Marking is a rigorous exercise which requires full
concentration for one to be fair and accurate. How would you expect a teacher
who is hungry and thinking about where they will sleep to concentrate? It is disaster
in the making,” said Zhou.
concentration for one to be fair and accurate. How would you expect a teacher
who is hungry and thinking about where they will sleep to concentrate? It is disaster
in the making,” said Zhou.
Zhou said the teachers were made to sign contracts
which prohibited them from speaking to ‘outsiders’ about their welfare.
which prohibited them from speaking to ‘outsiders’ about their welfare.
“I visited Masvingo Polytechnic College yesterday to
make an assessment and the examiners were running away saying they were not
allowed to talk to us. They were given a directive not to speak to any outsider
but our members are coming forward and disclosing information.
make an assessment and the examiners were running away saying they were not
allowed to talk to us. They were given a directive not to speak to any outsider
but our members are coming forward and disclosing information.
“If teachers think it is prudent to be silenced and
get peanuts at the end of the day then they should wake up. We should not die
in silence. We should speak with one voice. Silence means we want to be
abused,” said Zhou.
get peanuts at the end of the day then they should wake up. We should not die
in silence. We should speak with one voice. Silence means we want to be
abused,” said Zhou.
Efforts to get a comment from Zimsec director Dr
Lazarus Nembaware were futile as his mobile was not reachable.
Lazarus Nembaware were futile as his mobile was not reachable.
