HARARE The future of teachers who left the service for greener pastures hangs in the balance, as the ministry of education threatened to dismiss them before they applied for re-engagement.On June 1 some rejoining teachers reportedly got instructions from a government circular demanding they leave their work places immediately. The teachers related their ordeal to the progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ).
Though we have not seen the circular, we have received several reports from teachers across the country saying they have been ordered to go home. There is a big rift between the minister of Education Sports and Culture David Coltart and the beaurocracy below, headed by the permanent secretary. Minister Coltart says the returning teachers should be pardoned and the permanent secretary is adamant that they be discharged first and apply for reappointment, said a program co-ordinating officer with the PTUZ, Oswald Madziva.
He said it was unfair for the ministry of public service to abuse the teachers after the government had lured them back to work. The teachers have not been paid monthly allowances since they resumed duties some five months ago.
Sources revealed that the junta is behind the dismissal of teachers.
The junta is frustrating qualified teachers to accommodate Zanu (PF) militia deployed as temporary teaching staff, said a highly placed source on condition of anonymity. – Taurai Bande
Post published in: News