Zim teachers’ strike threatens school year
By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- schools in Zimbabwe might fail to open this term as the few remaining teachers have vowed never to return to work unless Government bows to their demands to pay salaries in United Stares dollars.
Already the simmering impasse between teachers and the Government has seen the latter announcing that opening of the first term has been deferred by two week.
The Government announced that schools that were supposed to open on January 13 will now open on 27 January.
Secretary for Education Stephen Mahere said however the schools would open “as soon as we complete marking of examinations”
Markers contracted by the Government to mark Grade Seven, Ordinary Level and Advanced level examination have refused to carry out the assignment citing poor remunerations.
“This decision has been necessitated by the need to facilitate the completion of the marking of 2008 public examinations involving a significant number of teachers,” noted Mahere.
But the Progressive Teachers Union Of Zimbabwe- one of the bodies representing teachers in the country has vowed that teachers would note go back to work until they are paid in foreign currency.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said teachers wanted the Government to pay them a salary of US$800 per month.
"Our members will not be going back to work given the government's inconsiderateness. After all, most teachers are outside the country doing menial jobs to keep their families alive," Zhou said.
A large number of teachers has deserted the country to neighboring countries where they have either taken up menial jobs or are teaching.
Most of the teachers are now based in South Africa and Botswana.
Zhou added that his organisation was now tired on negotiating in local currency hence the need peg the salaries in foreign currencies.
"We are tired of negotiating in the local currency as it loses value overnight. Now the teachers want their salaries in foreign currency, as it is now legal tender in the country. If there are licensed foreign currency shops in the country, then how do you expect them to buy goods when they are not paid in forex?" said Zhou.