Farirai Machivenyika – Senior Reporter
Teachers play a key role in the country’s development and investing in them will play an important part towards the achievement of the nation’s aspirations, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has said.
Minister Moyo said this at the commemorations of World Teachers Day in Harare on Saturday, organised by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association.
The minister said all the professions have their roots in the contribution of teachers. This year’s celebrations were held under the theme: “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures”.
“Teachers are therefore far more than members of the education workforce; they are the builders of our nation’s human capital and key partners in its socio-economic transformation,” he said.
“Investing in teachers, supporting their work and recognising their contribution is an investment in the future of Zimbabwe and in the successful realisation of our national aspirations,” Minister Moyo said.
The minister added that the country’s education system has made important strides with the support of teachers’ dedication.
“Early childhood enrollment has grown from 27 percent to 43 percent; close to 2 900 schools were built between 2020 and 2024 through the efforts of Government, partners and communities and school dropouts fell by about a fifth in 2025,” he said.
He also said Government would continue addressing issues raised by teachers concerning their salaries and working conditions, adding that his ministry would lobby for more resources for the education sector in the 2027 national budget.
ZIMTA president, Mr Akunani Maposa, commended the Government for a number of successes achieved in the sector.
“The number of trained teachers rose from about 128 000 to over 153 000 in 2025, ECD enrollment grew from 27 percent 43 percent of young children. Close to 2 900 schools were built between 2020 and 2024 by Government, partners and communities,” Mr Maposa said.
“School dropouts fell by a fifth in 2025. Our currency has been stable this year, so every dollar allocated to education retains its value.”
He, however, said the salaries of teachers were approximately US$450 a month against ZIMTA’s own consumer basket for a family of five being US$1 084 in June.
Mr Maposa added that at least 6000 teachers leave the service each year, with 9 425 posts being vacant as of June this year.
Public Service Commission Commissioner Larry Mavima, said teachers were the backbone of the civil service and that they were aware of their plight.
“The commission hears you. The concerns teachers have raised over the years about salaries, allowances, housing, medical cover, pensions, promotion delays and the treatment of teachers in difficult postings are known to us,” Mr Mavima said.
“We don’t regard these as complaints to be managed; we regard them as issues to be addressed, within the fiscal realities of the country, through structured, respectful and continuous engagement.”
