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and improve their conditions of service.
In a speech read on her behalf by the Zimta tertiary level representative, Mr John Mulilo, during the World Teachers’ Day commemorations in Bulawayo, Zimta president Mrs Tendai Chikowore said civil servants’ remuneration was not receiving the attention it deserves from the Government.
The Government workers are demanding an all-inclusive salary of $564 for the least paid worker up from $296.
Mrs Chikowore said teachers should be represented in the House of Assembly to ensure that their grievances were prioritised during debates.
“We call upon our employer to provide us with reasonable salaries that must be set objectively and fairly. Zimta will leave no stone unturned in inquiring on why the Government persistently ignores its calls for better remuneration of educators and the re-introduction of the rural hardship allowance meant to cushion its workers who continue to wallow in poverty and poor working conditions,” said Mrs Chikowore.
“We need representatives or legislators who truly take a stand for the teachers in Parliament and any other forum where discussions about the educators’ welfare issues are highlighted. It is no secret that a motivated teacher performs better than a demotivated one.”
She urged teachers to unite and speak with one voice in lobbying policy makers to prioritise the financing of the education sector.
Responding to Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s recent remarks that civil servants might not get bonuses this year due to suppressed revenue inflows, the former Apex Council chairperson said teachers would not accept such a move.
The country has about 235 000 civil servants who are usually paid their bonuses between November and December.
Mrs Chikowore said Zimbabwe’s education sector was in crisis and made reference to the shortage of qualified teachers especially in remote rural school, dilapidated infrastructure and poor remuneration.
She also condemned the Government’s audit in schools, which has seen most heads being arrested and investigated for mismanagement of funds.
Mrs Chikowore said it was not fair for the Government to “persecute” school officials over funds when it did not teach them financial management skills.
Zimta chairperson in Bulawayo Mr Wilson Mangena said the annual teachers’ day was a constant reminder of the important role that teachers play in imparting education.
About 400 teachers including Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo participated in the commemorations that were held at Coghlan Primary School.
This year’s commemorations ran under the theme “Take a Stand for Teachers”.
Online Reporter