By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Only 30 percent of teachers across the country have reported for work since the opening of schools, protesting for better welfare conditions. The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) has confirmed this in a statement.
Artuz emphasized that the low attendance is a direct result of teachers expressing their collective grievances.
“Teachers across the nation have voiced their concerns. A survey conducted has revealed that only 30% of teachers reported for duty,” the union stated.
The organization highlighted that poor working conditions have severely affected the well-being and functionality of the teaching workforce, noting that many teachers are overwhelmed by financial instability due to insufficient salaries that have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
Teachers are not attending to their duties because they have lost faith in the government, particularly after allegations that it failed to pay their full salaries for November.
Artuz has declared that enough is enough, urging the government to address these pressing issues. The union is calling for a week-long protest to push for immediate negotiations with authorities.
“We urge the ministry to engage with the Minister of Finance to establish a sustainable debt relief program and increase salaries to meet the cost of living,” Artuz added.
The future of education in Zimbabwe hangs in the balance, with parents and communities anxiously awaiting the government’s response to the demands of the educators.