Teachers Cannot Afford To Return To Work For First Term - Majongwe

Raymond Majongwe, secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), said teachers will not report for duty when schools open later this month.

Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com on Friday, Majongwe asserted that teachers cannot be expected to go back to work when they have no money for transport and their children cannot go to school. He said:

I do not see any school opening because they (teachers) have garnered enough courage and zeal to say ’hapana kusiri kudzingwa basa’ (being paid low wages is just as good as dismissal).

The teachers will only report back to work when their issues have been addressed when issues around remuneration and others have been dealt with.

Teachers’ salaries have been eroded by runaway inflation while schools fees have skyrocketed.

The government made several piecemeal adjustments to teachers’ salaries last year disguised as Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) and cushioning allowances. However, the increments were considered inconsequential.

More: NewZimbabwe.com