An opposition MP has demanded a ministerial statement from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Evelyn Ndlovu, explaining the operations of the Teachers4ED union which is reportedly affiliated with ZANU PF.
Kambuzuma legislator, Willias Madzimure (CCC), argued that teachers should be non-partisan as they deal with learners from different political backgrounds.
On a point of national interest in the National Assembly, Madzimure said the responsible minister should explain why teachers are now affiliated with political parties. Madzimure was quoted by NewZimbabwe.com as saying:
How are teachers going to treat children of people from different political parties?
It is not clear whether it’s a government policy or if it is under an Act of Education.
A teacher can only belong to a teachers’ association and not a political party association.
We want a ministerial statement from the responsible Education ministers on why they are allowing this to happen.
Teachers for Economic Development code-named TeachersforED is a voluntary teacher organisation aimed at economically empowering the country’s educators through self-income generating projects.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education approved the formation of TeachersforED in June 2022.
However, the formation of TeachersforED was condemned by some leaders of teacher unions who felt that it would result in the politicisation of schools as it had the backing of the ZANU PF-led government.
Various “4ED” outfits campaigning for President Emmerson Mnangagwa have emerged over the past several months.
Some of the “For ED” outfits include Journalists4ED, Artists4ED, Mahwindi4ED, Pastors4ED, VaPostori4ED, ArtisanalMiners4ED among others.
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