It is so sad that this day comes at a time when teachers, the educators of our children in the farms and everywhere else in the country, have been reduced to near paupers by a system that cares less for the welfare of this critical sector.
As holders of the national education torch, teachers have, as a result of poor salaries, political victimization and pathetic working conditions, lost motivation in their work, a development that is likely to spell doom for the future generations as results of the current endless strikes and labour migration begin to manifest.
As a union that represents the interests of those in the farming communities we believe that a vibrant education system is a gateway to the enlightenment, economic and social development of people in these communities.
It is therefore sad to see that the decline in the education sector is reversing the educational achievements made in the farms as some schools have been forced to close down with some children pulling out of school.
We urge the government to have genuine commitment to solving the teachers’ plight as we believe this is the only way a revival of the education sector and the restoration of our quality education can be achieved.
We salute those who are still in the industry for their resilience during these hard times with the hope that the future holds better prospects for them.
IN SOLIDARITY
GENERAL AGRICULTURE AND PLANTATION WORKERS UNION OF ZIMBABWE INFORMATION DEPARTMENT