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Chronicle Reporters
TEACHERS’ unions yesterday expressed concern over the “blackout” in communication regarding the recruitment of teachers amid concerns that some schools in remote areas have not opened because of a shortage of teachers.
In separate interviews, union leaders said stakeholders in the education sector were in the dark about recruitment issues since the Civil Service Commission (CSC) took over recently.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu complained that the commission was not coming out in the open to respond to stakeholder concerns regarding staffing issues since the opening of schools last week.
“Generally there is a blackout in communication regarding this issue. We are getting lots of concerns but the commission has not communicated anything to anyone since it took over,” said Mr Ndlovu.
“It seems CSC is not in tune with the modern developments on the importance of communicating with stakeholders. We expect them to brief stakeholders on what is happening since they took over but they have not done anything. We feel this is a display of arrogance.
“They should have engaged all the concerned people but it seems they do not want that. If this is how they would conduct themselves then that is a false start.”
Mr Ndlovu urged the commission to explain its activities clearly to the public, saying lack of information on the issue was compromising the learning process.
“We urge CSC to come out clean on this issue because it seems education is being compromised on the altar of labour practice. We are concerned about reports that some remote areas are being let to suffer as they still do not have teachers,” said Mr Ndlovu.
“This is affecting the base of the Zanu-PF Government, which has a majority of its voters in rural areas. Somebody must shake up in CSC.”
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe said the commission has not facilitated a smooth transition when it took over the role of recruiting teachers from the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.
“This scenario has created challenges for the Ministry of Education because we now have areas that still do not have teachers. Remote areas like Binga and Jotsholo are having problems yet there were people who were recruited there,” said Mr Majongwe.
“It is worrying that some of these instructions are done in a mysterious manner because we do not know who is giving them. The Cabinet is not yet in place so that we have a specific person to deal with this issue.
“This is a critical decision but we have not found any joy since it started and we are not clear as to who is implementing it. Schools have not even been given a circular but we just see things happening without clarity. May CSC explain this.”
Education officers who spoke to Chronicle on condition of anonymity for professional reasons said a majority of schools, which were run by temporary teachers especially in Binga, have not opened due to shortage of teachers.
Those that opened reportedly do not have a full staff complement.
“I can safely say many schools in Binga failed to open this term because they do not have teachers. As educators we cannot do anything because we no longer have power to appoint. That role now lies with CSC,” said one of the education officers.
Education officers also complained that the recruitment process was slow citing certain logistical challenges such as shortage of new recruitment forms and delays in the interviews.
“We still have stations that do not have the full number of teachers and some applicants have been told to wait till further notice to pave way for retired teachers. The term is progressing and the affected pupils are losing out,” said an education officer in Nkayi.
Efforts to get comment from CSC chairman Dr Mariyawanda Nzuwa were fruitless as he could not be reached on his mobile phone while his secretary Mrs Pretty Sunguro is yet to respond to questions sent to her last week. Last week scores of O and A-level certificate holders looking for jobs as temporary teachers were turned away from Bulawayo, Bulilima and Mangwe education offices after they were told that preference was being given to college and university graduates.
CSC, which was known as the Public Service Commission (PSC) assumed responsibility over the administration of the country’s civil service, including the recruitment of teachers in compliance with the provisions of the new constitution.
A majority of education officers had made appointments to fill the vacant posts in preparation for the third term, which were, however, nullified when CSC took over.
According to notices posted by CSC at the education offices in Bulawayo, eligible applicants for teaching posts include college and university graduates with teaching and non-teaching diplomas and degrees, retired personnel and re-appointee teachers aged below 50.
O and A-level holders are regarded as the last option.
Online Reporter