The amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) says teachers will not work for “slave wages and dog tax”
Speaking during this year’s commemoration of World Teachers Day in Mkoba, Gweru, ARTUZ secretary general, Mr Robeson Chere accused the government of treating teachers as mere slaves.
“We meet today when educators are being threatened everyday. We meet today as the government is using undue influence and duress to force educators to work for slave wages and dog tax.
“We did not become teachers because we had run out of options. We were called to be teachers, we have no illusion whatsoever about our worth.” He said.
World Teachers Day is celebrated every year on the 5th of October.
Teachers said it is their right to be paid fair salaries by the government hence they will continue to strike until their issues are heard.
“We do not owe our employer anything. It is not a privilege that we are employed by the state, it is our sacred right. We do not want anything from those politicians in government but a living and just wage and we will get it! said Chere.
He added: “We will leave no stone unturned and no turn unstoned as we seek financial justice from our employer. We insist today as we have always insisted that we will not be complicit in destroying and compromising the quality of education in this country.
Meanwhile, Chere said teachers will stay home until their grievances are heard.
“We do not believe that an incapacitated teacher should be anywhere near a learner hence will stay at home.
“We refuse to be culpable in pretending to teach when in actual fact academic genocide will be taking place in our schools.” He said.
Schools were opened on the 28th of September for examination classes. Grade six, form 3 and form 5 students will open on the 26th of October where as the rest of the pupils will open schools on the 9th of November.
