Ministry cracks whip on errant teachers

Senior Reporter
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will charge teachers who offer services to independent colleges without written authority from the Public Service Commission.

In a circular dated March 9, 2016, Manicaland Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba, said it was an act of misconduct for teachers to engage in any other employment without the written consent of the commission.

“It has come to our attention that some civil servants are going to teach at independent colleges without permission from the Public Service Commission. This is an act of misconduct according to the public service regulations 2000 as read with paragraph 18 of the first schedule (section 2) to these regulations as amended,” he said.

The circular which was addressed to the deputy directors SECNFE, Primary and ECD, district schools inspectors, provincial Nash Chairperson, Provincial Naph chairperson and the Manicaland Independent Colleges Association, directed them to advise heads of schools and principals at colleges accordingly.

In an interview on Wednesday, Mr Shumba said teachers should take the circular seriously or risk losing their jobs.

He said the Public Service Commission expects to get quality services from the workers it employs.

“Those caught on the wrong side of the law will be charged accordingly. We are giving them a warning so that they know the consequences of their actions. What it means is that no teacher will work elsewhere without the written consent of the employer. Doing otherwise will attract disciplinary action,” said Mr Shumba.

He said teachers, like other workers in the private sector, must only serve their employer in line with international labour practices.

“We need to bring order and ensure that teachers serve their paymaster only which is the Public Service Commission. Doing extra work elsewhere requires permission,” he said.

This pronouncement will deal a heavy blow on some teachers who did Government work during the day and offer their services to independent colleges during the night.

Teaching standards were greatly affected as teachers overworked themselves to earn a few dollars.