(Last Updated on August 31, 2020 by GERALD NCUBE)
ZIMBABWE – The teachers have continued to defy government’s attempts to unilaterally force the reopening of schoools without addressing major concerns that have been raised by the teachers through their unions.
PTUZ, one of the biggest teacher’ union recently made several demands that should be addressed before the schools reopen.
The demands cover both health and welfare areas as they demanded that all students and teachers be first tested for Covid-19 and that salaries be reviewed to reflect the realities of the economic situation.
In a recent series of tweets, PTUZ President Takavafira Zhou highlighted that the teachers had resoundingly agreed that they will boycott the marking of the June examinations until government address their salary issues.
No Review of Teachers' Salary, No Making of June exams
— Dr Takavafira Zhou (@takavafira1967) August 30, 2020
With all teachers testing positive to poverty, it is not surprising that they have unequivocally, unreservedly and unanimously agreed to boycott marking of June examinations until government addresses their salary issue.
No Salary review, no opening of schools. Successful opening of schools can occur after meeting the health, safety and welfare of teachers. Recent salary discrepancies have ensured that teacher salary cannot buy a pair of shoes. It is prudent to pay teachers US$550.
— Dr Takavafira Zhou (@takavafira1967) August 30, 2020
Yesterday, the Sunday Mail and other state run papers reported that government was set to announce the reopening of schools this week.