- Salaries continue losing value
- Teachers demand salaries at interbank rates
- Teachers threaten strike on opening day
- Opposition blames misgovernance and lack of political will by government
THERE is panic this week among most Zimbabweans as parents and guardians rush to purchase tuck and school uniforms for their children as resumption of the academic year nears.
Economic hardships bedevilling Zimbabwe have forced many parents to drastically alter their spending patterns, with previous years characterised by long and winding queues at shops such as Barbours, Nagaji and Enbee.
Many parents can now ill-afford such luxuries as prices play catch-up with hyperinflation, while on the other hand salaries have remained stagnant.
Zim Morning Post cought up with Stella Moyo, a mother whose child will soon be in Form 1.
“My salary is just ZWL1 800, yet a pair of shoes now costs ZWL699. So tell me, how am I supposed to get all of the things my child who is entering into Form 1 needs?” Moyo said.
She has since opted to buy her ‘Back to School’ in the streets, where prices are reasonable and cheaper.
Street vendors for school uniforms have seized the opportunity and are now selling everything from stationery, uniforms, and school shoes to trunks cheaply but on strict cash terms.
“In the streets, products are cheaper and negotiable. One can buy twice as much as they would have in streets than in shops although they are not accepting mobile transfers, preferring forex or cash,” Moyo added.
Mobility in town has become a nightmare as vendors have taken over almost every pavement and island in the city centre, making sure every passerby sees their wares.
Not only has the economic crisis forced the skyrocketing of stationery beyond the reach of many parents, but basics such as food are now not easy to get.
School fees has gone up by almost 500 percent, forcing many parents to withdraw their children from boarding to day schools, with others opting for sprouting colleges in and around Harare, including in other institutions in and around the country’s towns and cities.
Although fees have been increased, teachers’ salaries have sadly not been reviewed hence their continued claim to incapacitation.
Speaking to this publication, some parents said it was worthless to send their children to government-run schools as teachers there were in perennial strike mode.
“Last year, my son was heavily affected by these strikes. He failed his Grade 7 examinations. From opening in January (2019) to year-end, there were strikes and shutdowns. That shows how bad our education system has become. So, why should I waste my time sending him to government schools?” said another woman who was buying books along First Street in Harare.
Last year, Grade 7 results across the country were by far the worst since 2009.
The above could be attributed to the go-slow action by teachers, with many reporting for duty but hardly doing any teaching.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (Artuz) which has been on industrial action since last year said they would continue the strike until government acceded to their demand for interbank related rate salaries.
Artuz president Obert Masarure said the issue of salaries was now out of hand and they nolonger want any dialogue.
“We will only report for duty when government pays an interbank rate benchmarked salary. We have met the employer on countless times. By now government is aware of our expectations. We don’t need any more meetings but money in our accounts,” Masarure said.
Secretary for Education, Sports, Arts and Culture in the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, Fadzai Mahere, said problems in the education sector were part of a bigger national crisis emanating from bad governance.
“Bad governance and the State of the economy have led us to a place where teacher remuneration is low, yet school fees are high. The system is not working for the teachers who now cannot even afford to live on their meager wages, let alone afford the exorbitant school fees,” Mahere said.
Asked about what was needed to improve the sector, Mahere said: “The government needs to increase funding to the education sector as well as restore society’s respect for the teaching profession through improved teacher remuneration.”
She also impressed on the need for investment in schools infrastructure, including the refurbishment of buildings, providing adequate learning materials and textbooks to ensure that quality education is being provided.
Reached for comment Information ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said government is taking seriously the challenges being experienced in the education sector.
“Government prioritises education and believes the future of the country is in the next generation,” Mangwana told Zim Morning Post.
“It is with this in mind that it appends a lot of value and respect to teachers. Their current challenges are being taken seriously and government is meeting the Apex Council this Friday.”
