By Patience Gondo
ZIMBABWE‘s education sector faces uncertainty ahead of the second term opening on May 12, as teacher unions say government must urgently review salaries to match the rising cost of living.
In a statement, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said many educators are struggling to resume duty, arguing that current pay levels have been eroded by rising prices and economic pressures.
Zhou said recent adjustments for civil servants have not translated into meaningful relief for teachers, many of whom are finding it difficult to cover basic needs such as food, rent and transport.
He said transport costs have increased significantly following fuel price hikes, with some teachers reportedly using up to US$4 per day to work, especially those based far from their schools.
Under such conditions, said the union, many teachers are left with no option but to subsidise their own work-related expenses, a situation it described as unsustainable and likely to affect the reopening of schools.
Similarly the Educators’ Union of Zimbabwe (EUZ) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to government, demanding a comprehensive review of the salary structure and grading system.
The union said its position follows consultations held between April 20 and April 22, during which teachers said they were dissatisfied with the current remuneration framework.
EUZ said the salary structure does not reflect economic realities, particularly given the widespread use of United States dollar pricing in the economy, which has reduced the purchasing power of local earnings.
Teacher remuneration has remained a long-standing point of contention in Zimbabwe, with unions repeatedly arguing that salaries have not kept pace with inflation and rising living costs.
Although government announced salary adjustments in April, educators say the changes have not restored purchasing power or improved working conditions.
Education stakeholders continue to caution that unresolved pay disputes could undermine stability in schools and affect the smooth running of the academic calendar.