Sundaymail Editor
ZIMBABWEAN teachers deployed in Rwanda have dismissed claims by teachers’ unions suggesting they are being enslaved in the East African country.
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union and the Educators Union of Zimbabwe claimed last week that the Zimbabwean teachers were being ill-treated and paid a “measly” salary. But in interviews in Rwanda’s capital Kigali, the teachers rubbished the claims, saying they are happy with their working conditions.
Mr Josiah Chidawo, a Mathematics teacher, said: “For sure, I came across that post and I was shocked. Honestly speaking, those are baseless insinuations. There are people who have their own agenda, if I may put it that way. Perhaps someone wants to achieve political mileage.”
Mr Machaire Tendayi, a former district administration official and special needs educationist for the past 22 years, said: “From the day we touched down at the airport, I don’t have any complaints. It is a made-up story. I have never experienced any problems since I came here. We meet people outside here and we talk, no one has come to us and violated our space.”
Mr Nicholas Moi, a specialist in Educational Foundations, weighed in, saying: “So far so good, we are gelling very well with the local community. We were received very well. “I don’t have a problem with my contract. I am in contact with my family. That’s not true. I talk to my family on video. I am actually travelling on the 23rd for the festive season with my family and will return shortly before the students reopen for school.”
Government has also dismissed the claims by the teachers’ unions, with Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Permanent Secretary Simon Masanga describing the claims as “rubbish”.
“People should stop speculating and seeking to demonise programmes that are well-planned and implemented in good faith. “The teachers are happy and they are being given good perks. The teachers are not in jail. They are at a school and there are no guards there.”
In October, 159 Zimbabwean teachers were deployed to boost Rwanda’s education system after going through a thorough selection process.
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