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Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
School Development Committees (SDCs) across the Midlands province have started consulting their respective school heads and parents on the possibility of re-introducing incentives to motivate teachers.
Government in 2014 banned incentives, arguing they were burdening parents and being abused.
Private schools have re-introduced incentives in a bid to motivate their teachers.
In an interview yesterday, chairperson of Midlands Schools Development Committee Association (MSDCA), Mr Luke Kudita said SDC chairpersons from across the Midlands Province had started holding meetings with parents and school heads to get their view on the issue.
“We have decided to start consultations with parents with the view of bringing back incentives as a way of motivating teachers,” he said.
“Remember, as parents, we know how important teachers are in shaping the future of our kids, so we need to sacrifice and make sure that they get some incentives.”
Mr Kudita said they would also engage Government on the matter.
“This is not unique, parents have been paying teachers incentive before they were abolished when the economy improved,” he said.
“Private schools have already introduced the teachers’ incentive and parents are cooperating.”
Acting Education Director for Midlands Province, Reverend Tedious Matienga, said he was not in a position to comment on the teachers’ incentives, saying he was yet to receive communication from the ministry on the matter.
“That is a policy issue which can only be commented on by the ministry,” he said.
“I think you can get in touch with the minister or the permanent secretary since it’s a policy issue.”
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima said Government was yet to deliberate on the issue.
“The Government position is that teachers’ incentives are illegal since they are a burden on the parents,” he said.
“There has not been any change from that position.”
Online Reporter