Newsnet
Friday 01 May 2009
The government and teachers’ unions have agreed to hold a second round meeting on Monday to discuss teachers’ salaries.
The government and teachers’ unions have agreed to hold a second round meeting on Monday to discuss teachers’ salaries.
This was revealed by the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, following a three hour meeting with teachers’ representatives in Harare yesterday.
He said they deferred the meeting to Monday to allow the donor community to participate and explore ways in which they can assist government to pay teachers.
The meeting was also attended by the acting Finance Minister, Mr Elton Mangoma who explained to the teachers union leaders the difficulties the government is facing and what is being is being done to address the issue.
Mr Mangoma has also agreed to review school fees saying the current ones are unaffordable.
Both ministers described yesterday’s meeting as constructive and similar sentiments were echoed by the Zimta Secretary-General, Mr Richard Gundani.
Mr Gundani said the government has agreed to look into issues raised like exempting teachers from paying school fees for their children.
The government has since urged civil servants who include teachers to be patient over salaries saying these will only improve once the economy starts ticking and the tax base expands correspondingly.