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Progressive Teachers Union Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has said schools should remain closed if government does not review their salaries in USD to October 2018.
The teachers notes that government move to fast track reopening schools without addressing the salaries issue is totally unacceptable.
While Government is to announce the reopening of schools this week.
The union has opposed to the reopening without a salary increment considering the welfare of Teachers.
PTUZ president Dr Takavafira Zhou announced the development on Sunday in a statement.
“We note with concern (from various reports) that dates for reopening of schools will be announced by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Matema, this week. It is sad that such a enunciation would be made without engaging teacher unions.”
“We hereby reiterate that other than meeting the health and safety of teachers and pupils, welfare issues must be high on the agendaNo school would open without addressing the recently introduced salary discrepancies and restoring the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries. Teachers unequivocally, unreservedly and unanimously call for the restoration of their October 2018 salaries pegged at US$550,” he said.
“Any attempt to fast track the opening of schools without addressing this crucial issue will be met by an equal and opposing force in line with Isaac Newton’s law of motion, “ reads the statement.
Their current salaries have been failing to equally meet the prevailing economic conditions, coupled by inflation , a weak local currency.
Meanwhile ,Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe said in a Twitter post, “Our government has an obsession with when schools will open but doesnt attend to what has to be done for safe and effective opening of schools. Address the safety question and attend to teacher welfare then we gladly open. USD 520 for all teachers. “
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