Striking teachers are set to defy a Zimbabwe government ultimatum to
return to work tomorrow in spite of threats of instant dismissal.In an apparent about turn education authorities moved from pleading
with striking teachers to attend classes to threatening them with
dismissal.
Education secretary Stephen Mahere warned striking teachers that they now risked being "replaced".
He said student teachers and retired teachers would be recruited to "fill vacancies".
Teachers have been on strike since September last year and so far all
efforts to resolve the labour dispute have failed. They are demanding
about US$2000 a month. Presently their salaries in Zimbabwe dollars
translate to just US$4.
Teachers have so far rejected government all offers including food hampers and more recently shopping vouchers.
Their union – the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association – has rejected payment of salaries of its members in local currency.
Battle lines have been drawn and all indications are that the teachers are not about to give in to government treats.
The union says a third of members have already quit their jobs. Some
have left the country and others have simply abandoned the profession
owing to low salaries and poor working conditions.
Meanwhile schools and parents continue to be at loggerheads over demands that fees be paid in foreign currency.
Post published in: News