By 
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) on Wednesday blasted threats by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Cain Mathema to fire striking teachers and replace them with 10 000 jobless graduates.
ARTUZ says the Minister is not quite aware of the situation around teachers , even the statistics of employed teachers in the country and no one is getting fired.
Mathema made the remarks following teachers boycott of lessons on Monday after schools were reopened.
He said the government cannot be held to ransom by teachers who have embarked on a strike since schools reopened for examination grades on Monday and government has put around 10 000 qualified, but unemployed, teachers on standby to replace those that are holding the State to ransom by engaging in an illegal industrial action.
In response to the Minsters Remarks in a statement ARTUZ said, “ The out of sorts Minister claims that he can fire striking teachers and replace them with the 10 000 unemployed teachers. The threat of firing teachers and the wrong statistics exposes a man out of touch with reality.”
“Ambassador Mathema should know that 98% of Zimbabwe’s 136 000 teachers are on strike. These teachers can’t be replaced by his 10 000 reserve teachers.”
“Cain also got the 10 000 unemployed teachers statistics wrong, Zimbabwe has 37 000 who are out of employment,” ARTUZ said.
Teachers have been demanding salaries in USD to match the melting economy , while government has been reluctant to review their wages.
The demand in salary increase caused a low turnout of teachers at schools on Monday after almost 6 months of closure due to COVID19.
ARTUZ added that ,”Teachers are currently earning USD 30 per month. Teachers have given the government a long rope, unfortunately, the government chose to tie itself with the rope. Teachers are tightening the noose around the government’s neck.”
“Government cannot be allowed to celebrate budgetary surplus when government workers are starving.”
Across the country teachers have been citing Incapacitation as living costs continue to rise , with various goods and services being charged in USD.
Ambassador Mathema should just sober up, no teacher is going to be fired but the out of depth Minister might soon face the chop, ARTUZ said.
Comments