Higher Education Examination Council (HEXCO) examinations which began on Monday were on Friday thrown into disarray after teachers quit invigilating the examinations demanding payment for the services.
This comes as various teacher unions have notified the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) of a similar boycott starting on Monday when Ordinary and Advanced level examinations commence.
ZIMSEC has refused to pay teachers for invigilation services, claiming the responsibility falls under their employer, the Public Service Commission (PSC).
However, the PSC also denied responsibility, shifting blame to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Meanwhile, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe yesterday confirmed to NewsDay that their members quit invigilating HEXCO examinations.
Majongwe said they wrote to PSC chairperson Vincent Hungwe informing him of their plans to also boycott ZIMSEC examinations.
In the letter, PTUZ told Hungwe that the union was concerned that responsible authorities were distancing themselves from paying teachers to invigilate.
Educators’ Union of Zimbabwe president Tapedza Zhou said boycotting examinations was the only way to push authorities to pay teachers for services rendered.
However, Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said ZIMSEC examinations will go ahead as scheduled. He said:
Invigilation and teaching in class are two separate issues. Invigilation can be conducted by anyone.
What is important is that learning is going on well and pupils are catching up on their syllabi, preparing for their exams.
We know teachers are providing quality, relevant and inclusive services to our learners throughout the country, despite those claims that they have withdrawn services.