Teachers’ unions have raised concerns about the readiness of educators to offer their services when schools reopen on January 14 for the first term, citing incapacitation and a lack of resources at their workstations.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is set to introduce the Heritage-Based Curriculum, replacing the Competence-Based Curriculum. However, teachers are struggling with financial challenges.
An average teacher currently earns around US$300, with part of their salary paid in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
For years, teachers have been advocating for the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries, which were at least US$540.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200036760/teachers-not-ready-for-schools-opening">NewsDay</a>, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said that teachers were not prepared for the opening of schools. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
Teachers are ill-prepared for the opening of schools in 2025. Fundamentally, the year 2024 was one of the most precipitous years in labour relations with the government. They failed to restore the purchasing power parity of US$540 basic salary.
</blockquote>
Zhou said the government failed to provide various allowances for heads of departments, A-Level, large classes, composite classes, Early Childhood Development, class teachers, and other responsibilities.
Obert Masaraure, president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, shared similar concerns.
He claimed that over 82% of teachers in rural areas are facing unfavourable working conditions, including lack of water, decent accommodation, and poor infrastructure in schools. Said Masaraure:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe education sector has been suffering from aggressive socio-economic turmoil for over 20 years, with visible rot in all facets of the sector. Teacher remuneration by the State still remains a sticking point.
To compound an already critical situation, teachers are having their civic and political rights infringed by the ruling party, with most teaching stations in rural outposts a nightmare for teachers due to interference by political parties, especially the ruling party.
In Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North and South, Masvingo and Midlands provinces, over 82% of teachers based in rural outposts are complaining about unfavourable working conditions, such as unavailability of water, decent accommodation and bad infrastructure in schools.
</blockquote>
The Heritage-Based Curriculum is a new educational framework set be come into force this year, replaces the previous Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) and aims to better prepare students for future challenges by focusing on practical skills and critical thinking
Under the Heritage-Based Curriculum, School-Based Projects (SBPs) replace CALAs and provide a hands-on approach to learning and assessment. Students will engage in practical projects that contribute to their overall assessment.
For Ordinary Level (O-Level) students, five compulsory subjects are Mathematics, English Language, Indigenous Language and Literature, Combined Science, and Heritage Studies.
Advanced Level (A-Level) students have a minimum requirement of three subjects and can choose additional subjects.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Teachers are worried they are not ready to teach when schools reopen in January. They are not getting enough money and resources to do their job well. The government changed the curriculum to help students learn better. Teachers want their old salaries back. Many teachers in rural areas do not have good working conditions. The new curriculum focuses on practical skills and critical thinking. Students will do hands-on projects instead of just taking tests.arks likeMasaraure and Zhou are worried about the situation and want things to change.

"Teachers Not Ready For January Schools Opening"

A decision on whether to open schools for the second term on 28 June will be made this week, a senior government official has said.
The National Taskforce on COVID-19 will meet early this week to deliberate on schools opening and then forward its recommendations to Cabinet.
Chief co-ordinator of the National Response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Agnes Mahomva, told State media that a final decision will be made this week. She said:
<blockquote>We are looking into it. You are aware there is a task force that is always guided by science.
We look at data on the ground and we make decisions based on that data. This task force meets every Monday and Cabinet sits every Tuesday. You will definitely hear from that process.</blockquote>
An upsurge in infections since schools closed early this month has forced the Government to introduce stricter lockdown regulations.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/19/schools-opening-in-doubt/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">READ MORE: Schools Opening In Doubt</a>
Several districts, among them Kwekwe, Hurungwe and Makonde, have recently been placed under localised lockdowns following a spike in cases.
There are fears that the reopening of schools could lead to an increase in transmissions.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/schools-opening-decision-this-week" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

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