7 000 More Teachers Are Not Enough - Unions
Teachers’ unions have criticised the move by the government to recruit 7 000 teachers in 2023 saying they are too few.
Presenting the 2023 national budget in Parliament on Thursday, Ncube said the recruitment of a further 7 000 teachers will ensure the delivery of quality education.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said the move is welcome but does not fully address the shortage of teachers in schools. He said:
Zimbabwe has a shortage of almost 90 000 teachers and more are leaving the profession because of underpayment.
The 7 000 teachers we seek to recruit will be way below the numbers needed. Recruitment is however welcome and we should improve conditions of service to retain quality teachers.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said:
The number of teachers that are being funded is not enough. As we speak, we have serious understaffing in schools.
The number is not enough and that continues to exert pressure on teachers and that affects education.
In June, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Evelyn Ndlovu said the country had a shortfall of 25 000 teachers.
She also said the country has an establishment of 136 000 teachers.
