The Federation Of Zimbabwe Educators Unions (FOZEU) calls upon the government to rectify the unjustified salary discrepancies prevailing between teachers and other government workers. Teachers want to dialogue with the government to address their conditions, welfare issues and low salaries ahead of the opening schools.
In a joint statement by teacher unions, FOZEU has reminded the government on what has to be done before schools open safely and smoothly.
They said the government should rectify the unjustified salary currently prevailing and to restore the purchasing power of teachers salaries to pre-October 2018.
‘’The Government should restore the purchasing power of teachers salaries to pre-October 2018 level which is 520- 550USD or its equivalence in rtgs,
‘’The Government should never take this issue as nugatory because incapacitation amoung teachers is real.’’ the Education Unions said in a statement.
Furthermore, the teachers unions say the government should consider the welfare of teachers for them to report for duty.
‘’Only a miracle will see teachers reporting for duty if government fails to address this issue’’ They said.
Furthermore, the issue of sector specific allowance was reported to be long overdue in a joint statement and the government is being urged to honour its promise to pay teachers as agreed initially.
‘’The issue of sector specific allowance is long overdue, the government should rectify the unjustified salary discrepancies currently prevailing between teachers and other government workers.
‘’Last time junior soldiers earned more than 27000rtgs while entry point for teachers is slightly above 14000rtgs,
‘’This is not to say 27000rtgs for soildiers is enough, but the difference is a sure ingridient for industrial disharmony.’’ They said.
The government is being urged to put in place Covid-19 abatements to ensure the safety of teachers, learners and ancillary staff so that they can all come to school smoothly and safe.
It was also said that The standard Operation Procedures (SPOs) as advised by World Healthy Organization (WHO) should be followed religiously.
The Vaccination of teachers is expected to be done before schools open.
‘’Vaccination of teachers should be done before schools open,
‘’This should be on a willing basis and never be used to deprive those who choose otherwise of any opportunites and services.’’ Teachers unions said.
Conditions were set in the joint statement for schools to open.
‘’All teachers, learners and ancillary staff will be tested before schools open,
‘’Opening of schools should be shelved until ZIMSEC marking exersice is over since most secondary school teacher will be away between 06 March and 27 March March 2021.’’ They said.
The Government is being encouraged to urgently engage teachers’ unions in order to come up with an agreed and workable conditions in a statement.
‘’Government must urgently engage teacher unions in order to come up with an agreed and workable roadmap that will guarantee quality education and service delivery.’’ They said.
Teachers Union under FOZEU said that they are ready to meet with the government even at midnight.
‘’The sooner the government engages teachers’ unions as key stakeholders, the better for our education system and the nation at large. The sooner the government officials realize that bellowing instructions from a well-ventilated and
Speaking to this reporter last week in Harare, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe Secretary Raymond Majongwe said it is important to fist consider what is safe for children and the nation at large before schools open.
