The Chronicle
Comment
25 February 2009
Schools are finally scheduled to open on Monday next week for the first term, a month after they were supposed to open. As the saying goes, it is better late than never.
We would like to applaud the teachers for putting the nation first and showing compassion for the schoolchildren by committing themselves to returning to work next week. The teachers should be commended seeing that though there have been negotiations, there has been no firm commitment or mention of figures as to how much they will get.
This is a sign of maturity by the professionals who have given the new Government a chance to resolve their grievances that the generality of the population are aware of.
The Government on Monday reached an agreement with the teachers’ representatives that teachers should report for duty on Monday next week while the Government looks into their grievances. Also, teachers who deserted the profession two years ago will be accepted back without any questions asked.
The Government, though short of financial resources, has already shown its willingness to get Zimbabwe working by making a commitment to pay civil servants in foreign currency and we believe that teachers will get something that compares reasonably with what obtains in the region.
It is our hope that as the teachers return to work on Monday they will fully dedicate themselves to their duties to make up for lost time since their role in moulding our nation cannot be overemphasised.
We also would like to send out an appeal to all teachers to reapply since all the signs are there that the good times will soon be back. They should take advantage of the amnesty and re-apply for teaching posts, and this should apply even to those doing menial jobs in neighbouring countries and overseas.
The Government that is in place right now came about after protracted negotiations showing the need for dialogue to resolve issues, and it is gratifying that the same method has been used in getting our teachers back to the classrooms.
The Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture, Senator David Coltart expressed the Government’s commitment to addressing the plight of teachers but emphasised the need for teachers to get back to class.
“We have committed ourselves that we will do all that we can to address the plight of teachers. Salary negotiations will continue while pupils are back in classrooms. However, it was impossible to come up with a figure because we are still consulting with donors and the Government. Once figures are available, we will then give them to teachers’ unions for discussion,†said Senator Coltart.
Teachers have received US$100 allowances along with other civil servants while at some schools that have opened parents were already paying teachers allowances in foreign currency.
It is our hope that as soon as the teachers get their pay, money set aside for their allowances by parents would be put to other use to improve the state of our schools.
Also, the adjustment of the school terms should make up for the lost time and the new Government should ensure that lines of communication remain open with all civil servants to avoid a recurrence of similar industrial action.
We salute the teachers for taking the right decision to return to work and urge all those who left the profession to come back and rescue the future of our children.