ZANU PF has implored teachers to heed the call by the Government for them to return to work while their grievances are being addressed.
The 2022 first term commenced this Monday amid reports that some teachers in Harare did not report for duty citing “incapacitation”.
All the teachers’ unions declared incapacitation in protest over salaries that have been rendered meaningless by inflation and a weak currency.
Teachers have demanded that the Government restore their pre-2018 salaries of about US$540 per month. They are currently earning less than US$100.
In a statement this Monday, ZANU PF Secretary for Education Harare Metropolitan Province, Takudzwa Mashumba, said the strike by teachers is not fair for both parents and children.
Mashumba said the Government is aware of teachers’ grievances and is working on addressing their concerns. Said Mashumba:
Today some teachers in government schools didn’t report for work following a declaration of teachers incapacitation issued by teachers unions.
The incapacitation declaration (Strike) by the teachers unions is not fair for both parents who had sacrificed and paid their school fees and kids who have been greatly disadvantaged due to COVID 19 lockdown.
Teachers have genuine grievances which according to the government are being addressed.
We strongly condemn desperate opposition opportunists who would want to hijack and politicize the teachers strike into a political problem.
Government is committed to solving teachers grievances which is why a National Joint Negotiating Council was put in place.
We strongly appeal to the teachers unions to give heed to the government directive and call for teachers to report for duty whilst their grievances are being addressed.
Teachers accuse the government of insincerity and “spoiling for a fight” after the National Joint Negotiating Council meeting held in January failed to come up with meaningful results.
Last year, the Government invoked the “no-work no-pay” policy for striking teachers and tasked school heads with compiling and submitting the names of teachers that were not attending classes.