Zimbabwean Teachers declare incapacitation as schools open

In March of this year, the government attempted to address the issue by increasing teachers’ salaries from USD 300 to USD 320. However, this minor adjustment was criticised, as educators believe it fails to meet the rising cost of living.

Teachers now demand a minimum salary of USD 540 to cover their basic needs adequately.

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Impact on Education Quality

The secretary-general of the Educators Union of Zimbabwe (EUZ), Tapedza Zhou, emphasized that the financial hardships teachers face negatively impact the quality of education. “As the EUZ, we acknowledge that teachers cannot report for duty due to incapacitation. This is a grim reality,” Zhou stated. He urged the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to urgently address the salary issues affecting teachers, highlighting that the deterioration of educators’ welfare harms the educational standards for all children.

Teachers’ Financial Plight

The ARTUZ survey further revealed that around 70% of the teachers interviewed reported severe incapacitation due to inadequate pay. The union noted that while grain deliveries are being made across the country to alleviate some of the financial strain, many schools, particularly in Mashonaland Central and Manicaland provinces, have yet to receive any assistance.

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Teachers insist on a minimum salary of USD 540, a figure they believe is essential to meet their basic living costs.

Zimbabwe is currently grappling with a food security crisis, with more than half of the population facing hunger. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the drought a national disaster, aiming to secure approximately USD 3 billion to prevent widespread starvation. He has assured the nation that no one will die of hunger.