The Progressive Teacher’s Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has slammed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for failing to address sticking issues affecting the education sector.
BY NIZBERT MOYO
PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe told Southern Eye this week that when teachers marched in solidarity with the military when they deposed Robert Mugabe, they had high expectations.
Majongwe said they were anticipating a salary increment given the promises enunciated by then army spokesperson Major-General Sibusiso Moyo in his speech when the military took control of key institutions when they pledged to protect interests of the civil servants.
“Teachers hoped for the easing of liquidity crisis, but we still spend hours in queues for $20 bond coins if one is lucky on a day. Our members based at rural stations, who mostly need hard cash, are hardest hit. Many expected an improved budget allocation to the education [sector] in light of the new curriculum, but it seems everything has remained as a mere talk. Schools in Zimbabwe remain with no infrastructural upliftment and with no learning and teaching material,’’ he said.
He also said there are schools with teacher pupil ratios of 80:1
He said the 2017 bonuses have not yet been paid and the so-called staggered payments continue with armed forces getting preferential treatment, as they are getting their bonuses this month, while teachers would get their latter in May after it would have been eroded by inflation.
Majongwe said confusion was rife in schools over the new curriculum, with teachers, parents and learners needing reassurance on what to expect in the forthcoming examinations.
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He said teachers were still being milked by loan sharks, even after they had written to Mnangagwa who promised to intervene.
Contacted for comment, Education permanent secretary Sylvia Utete-Masango said: “Everything is being looked into, we all know the situation in the country and the government is trying by all means to solve the problems,” she said.
