Job seekers throng education offices

Chronicle Reporters
HUNDREDS of job seekers thronged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) offices in Bulawayo, Gwanda and Plumtree yesterday seeking employment as teachers ahead of schools opening next week.
CSC has started recruiting qualified and untrained teachers to fill in vacant posts in schools across the country. Mhlanhlandlela government complex in Bulawayo was a hive of activity as job seekers submitted their application forms.

Those who spoke to Chronicle said they were informed that there were no temporary teaching posts for the first term in the city.
“They told us that there were no vacancies for temporary teaching this term but advised us to leave our CVs and particulars,” said one of the job seekers.

Some said they were told that CSC would contact them before the end of the week.
Others were seen coming from the offices with papers which they had been sent to photocopy.

A Gwanda official who preferred anonymity confirmed that the recruitment process had started in some districts.
The province is reported to have this year recorded an influx of transfers.

“A number of teachers have been cleared to transfer to other provinces. However, if they fail to secure places in those areas, we will be obliged to take them back,” said the official.

Matabeleland South has been experiencing a shortage of qualified Science and Mathematics teachers, a problem that has resulted in students performing dismally in these two crucial subjects.

In Gwanda district, CSC had posted notices advising applicants of yesterday’s interviews and requirements.
The recruitment prioritised newly qualified graduates with diplomas and degrees in the teaching field, retirees with approval letters and those with certificates, diplomas and degrees in non-teaching fields. “If there are still vacancies after exhausting the above categories, then another advertisement will be put out calling for Ordinary and Advanced Level certificate holders,” read the notice.

By 9am long queues were observed at Tuli Building in Gwanda district.
Among the applicants were university students who are on vacation and want to raise money to pay their university fees. Before interviews, the applicants had to fill in some forms specifying their qualifications.

An official who was part of the recruitment exercise told Chronicle that about 100 teachers, qualified and temporary would be recruited.
In Plumtree interviews for aspiring teachers were conducted yesterday.

Scores of interviewees thronged CSC offices in the early hours of the morning to submit their forms.
Officials said preference was given to college and university graduates and tertiary students who had submitted their applications by December 30.

The Government seeks to recruit about 6,000 teachers for this school term to fill vacancies and boost the performance of the education sector.