In a development that could make Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa lose sleep this week, teachers from the 79-year old strongman’s hometown of Kwekwe today defied calls by the Harare administration for them to hold lessons on the opening day.
A survey held by Zwnews in the Midlands mining town on the opening day Tuesday morning indicated that at most schools, the pupils were being turned away, with virtually no staffers in attendance.
At Fitchlea Primary School- a government learning institution located close to the central business district- the pupils were being turned away and desperate parents could be seen roaming around the school premises.
The situation at Fitchlea Primary School was replicated at other neighboring schools which include Globe and Phoenix Primary School, Sally Mugabe Primary School, Amaveni Primary School and Globe and Phoenix Secondary School.
The defiance by teachers to return back to work comes as Mnangagwa’s Government and the country’s teachers have been deadlocked amid poor remuneration which has left the country’s tutors in a state of incapacitation.
Schools reopened today- 22 February 2022- after a long, Covid-19 induced hibernation and the teachers understandably argue that they cannot return back to their workplaces without any meaningful salary increase from their apparently dithering employer.
Over the weekend, the country’s leading teachers’ union- Zimta- said its over 43 000 members were incapacitated to return to work owing to the volatility of the Zimbabwe dollar.
Mnangagwa’s Government has perennially failed to address the grievances of the country’s teachers, including demands to be paid in foreign currency.
Zwnews
