The Government has launched a recruitment drive to fill vacant positions for school inspectors, heads, and deputy heads in primary and secondary schools nationwide.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has opened 419 school inspector positions, 1,137 school heads, and 843 deputy heads posts.
A Vacancy Circular from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply. Reads part of the notice:
<blockquote>
Reference to the Public Service Commission’s minute referenced G/8/1/638 and dated 7 January 2025. The Public Service Commission has granted authority to advertise the above posts internally and the ministry has since prepared an advertisement for the posts of Heads and Deputy Heads (see copy attached) for use by all Provinces.
In view of the above, you are hereby requested to urgently post the advertisement on your noticeboards. With regards to the posts of Schools Inspectors, you are expected to prepare your advertisements based on the requirements you submitted to Head Office.
</blockquote>
The recruitment drive officially began on 17 February, with candidates required to submit their applications by 7 March.
The masterlisting and shortlisting of candidates will take place between 10 and 12 March, followed by interviews from 24 to 28 March.
The list shows 463 vacancies for secondary school heads, 100 for secondary deputy heads, 674 for primary school heads, and 419 for school inspectors nationwide. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
Qualifications and experience include a Degree in Education, a certified University Graduate and a holder of a Primary Secondary Teachers’ Certificate or Diploma.
Applications for ‘A level schools should be holders of a degree with a teaching subject. At least two years- experience as a Senior Teacher.
The candidates must be prepared to reside in the district. A relevant Master’s degree would be an added advantage. Thorough understanding of the Education Act, as amended.
Knowledge of the Public Service and Education regulations and procedures governing the administration of the schools.
They should also have the ability to handle confidential information and good management and leadership skills and ability to work as part of a team plus good communication skills at all levels.
</blockquote>
Primary and Secondary Education communications and advocacy director, Taungana Ndoro, told <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/government-in-recruitment-of-school-inspectors-heads-and-deputies/">The Sunday News</a> that the nationwide recruitment drive aims to address the issue of numerous positions being filled by acting personnel.
Ndoro explained that appointing substantive personnel would enhance accountability and efficiency in schools, as it is easier to monitor individuals in permanent positions.

Pindula News

The government is looking to hire 419 school inspectors, 1,980 school heads, and deputies for primary and secondary schools. They want more females and people with disabilities to apply. The recruitment drive started on February 17, with applications due by March 7. Interviews will be held from March 24-28. Candidates need a degree in education and teaching experience. They must also know the Education Act and have good leadership and communication skills. The job requires living in the district of the school. The government wants qualified and experienced people to apply for these important roles in schools.

Govt To Recruit 419 School Inspectors And 1,980 School Heads and Deputies

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerai Moyo, said the Government will consider a request by teachers to be paid salaries commensurate with their qualifications and experience and the revival of manpower development leave programmes.
The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/teachers-demand-salary-hikes-based-on-qualifications-minister-agrees/">Chronicle</a> reported that Moyo met district school inspectors, school heads and other ministry officials from Matabeleland North Province on Thursday.
At the meeting, held at Tsholotsho High School, discussions centred on various issues affecting teachers.
In his presentation, Sicelo Dube, the headmaster of Tsholotsho High School and chairperson of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH), said teachers’ salaries should reflect the profession’s duties, responsibilities as well as the individual’s qualifications and experience.
Dube said it was not fair for a teacher with a Bachelor’s degree and one with a diploma to be paid the same salary.
He also urged the government to review the manpower development leave programme which allowed teachers to pursue professional development opportunities while on full pay.
The NASH chairman stated that this will enable teachers to improve their academic qualifications while being paid enough to fend for their families.
Dube also requested that secondary schools be allowed to engage substantive deputy heads at the same enrolment level as primary schools.
For primary schools, a designated deputy head position is created when enrolment reaches 200 learners.
Dube said this will alleviate the burden on school heads, who are stretched by administrative duties.
He also pleaded for school heads to be exempted from teaching to concentrate on administration work, saying students lose valuable learning time when teaching heads attend to administration work.
Minister Moyo said he agreed with the idea of paying salaries commensurate with teachers’ qualifications and experience.
He said that he will soon engage the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to consider the issue. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
I totally agree that teachers should be paid salaries commensurate with their academic qualifications and experience.
These are labour issues and honestly, someone with a diploma cannot be paid the same salary as a PHD holder, it’s absurd.
Even the number of years one has worked must be considered because that experience is invaluable. I will soon engage with my counterpart Minister Moyo (July) on this.
</blockquote>
He said the revival of the programme was a noble idea that would encourage teachers to improve their qualifications.
During his two-day tour, Minister Moyo visited Tshabanda Adventist High School, Mtshina Primary and Secondary School and Tsholotsho High School.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Teachers Demand Salaries Based On Qualifications

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerayi Moyo has backtracked on his remarks that school heads and teachers’ qualifications will be reviewed so that a PhD will be the minimum qualification for school heads and diploma holders will be deemed unqualified to teach in public schools.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/phds-not-required-for-school-heads/">The Herald</a> on Wednesday, 31 January, Moyo said his message was misinterpreted, adding that there were no new requirements on qualifications for school heads. He said:
<blockquote>
I never said that for you to be a headmaster, you need to have a PhD. People misinterpreted the message that I gave to the headmasters.
We were in Bulawayo last week, and my message to teachers and headmasters was that they needed to upgrade their qualifications.
I told them that there was a time when holders of ZJC and O’ Levels were teaching without teaching qualifications, and I motivated teachers and headmasters that they needed to upgrade their qualifications.
If they have diplomas, they can have a first degree; if they have a Master’s, they can have a PhD. That was the message.
</blockquote>
Addressing heads of primary and secondary schools, district school inspectors and education officials at St Columbas High School in Bulawayo on Thursday last, Moyo said (<a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/qualifications-review-for-teachers-school-heads-2/">via The Sunday News</a>):
<blockquote>
I want to encourage you to continuously upgrade yourselves, I started with a Diploma in Education but I had to continue aiming for the self-actualisation stage. I see youthful faces among you who were lucky to be promoted and are headmasters.
There will come a time when we will come up with a circular to say for you to become a headmaster of a high school you must have a PhD, and for you to become a teacher, teaching in our primary schools you must have a degree.
</blockquote>
He also reminded school heads that there was a time when teachers of Grade One were holders of the Zimbabwe Junior Certificate and were later removed.
Ordinary Level certificate holders were allowed to teach early grades but they were later removed as well.
The Minister’s remarks stirred controversy on social media platforms, with some teachers worried they may soon find themselves unqualified to teach in public schools.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

PhDs Not Required For Headmasters | Minister Backtracks On School Heads Qualification Remarks

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has dispatched officials to investigate claims some school authorities in Harare were turning away pupils for non-payment of fees.
This was said by Edgar Moyo, who is Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister during the Question and Answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to MPs, Moyo said disciplinary action was being instituted against school authorities that were violating the Ministry’s directive that pupils should not be sent home for non-payment of school fees. He said:
<blockquote>
Schools are not allowed to send away students. The contract of school fees payment is between the school and the parents and not the students.
Where schools are sending away children who have not paid fees, there are penalties.
The penalty is a charge that is attracted by that action.
As I speak, yesterday (Tuesday) we got information that some schools here in Harare sent away children who had not paid fees and this morning our officers were in those schools where we expect charges to be preferred against the culprits.
If those cases are reported to us, we take corrective measures.
As I have already indicated, I may not name the schools in Harare where we sent officers this morning to go and interview the children, interview the teachers, the heads, with a view of preferring charges on those headmasters.
When I say charges, I am referring to disciplinary processes where we prefer a charge and say in terms of this section, you have committed an act of misconduct.
</blockquote>
Arguably, the main reason why some parents in Zimbabwe are unable to pay school fees for their children is the prevalence of poverty.
Zimbabwe has a high poverty rate and many families struggle to make ends meet. In such cases, paying school fees may not be a priority for some families.
Moyo also said measures were being taken against schools that were rejecting payment in local currency and accepting payment in foreign currency only.
Schools are allowed to set their fees in US dollars but if a parent wants to pay in Zimbabwe dollars, they use the prevailing interbank rate on the date of payment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

School Heads Under Probe For Turning Away Learners Over Non-payment Of Fees

Three school heads from Masvingo Province died in an accident on Thursday morning while travelling to Harare.
According to <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/3-masvingo-school-heads-die-in-accident-full-details/">The Mirror</a>, the three school heads were travelling to Harare to plead to the Social Welfare Department for the release of Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) Funds for their pupils when the accident occurred.
They were all from special schools for physically and mentally children. The learners had not received a cent from the government to run the schools since the third term opened on 4 September.
Two of the heads, Ratidzo Zimcare’s Sabelo Zuvurawa and Margaretha Hugo (Copota) School for the Blind Primary head, Clever Madzokere died on the spot.
The third school head, Tapiwa Madamombe, of Margaretha Hugo Secondary School passed away on Sunday at Harare Hospital.
A fourth headmaster, Stanley Tavonga Feya of Henry Murray School for the Deaf was lucky to escape possible injury or death as he got to the pick-up point late and was left behind.
The vehicle, a Ford Ranger, belonged to Margaretha Hugo Schools and was donated by Leonard Cheshire.
It reportedly overturned several times near Mvuma at around 7:30 AM. It was being driven by Madzokere.
The Mirror reported sources as saying mist covered the road when they reached Fairfields. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and overturned as Madzokere tried to steer it back onto the road.
Feya confirmed the travel arrangements to The Mirror, saying the four school heads agreed to meet at Wigley House in Masvingo at 6 AM and use the Margetha Hugo vehicle for the trip. He said:
<blockquote>
We had agreed to travel to Harare together to meet the Social Welfare department heads to air our concerns.
Schools opened recently and we have not received a cent from Social Welfare which funds our operations.
I was overwhelmed with work and arrived late at Wigley House and found the other three gone.
It is shocking how they died while travelling to create a better environment for their pupils.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the director of Chosen Generation, an organisation which works with children with disabilities, Vimbai Chase, said they were devastated by the loss. She said:
<blockquote>
We had just planned a talent show at Margaretha Hugo School for next week.
It is indeed a sad day for us as we worked closely with the deceased three heads.
</blockquote>

Schools Latest News

Latest Jobs