Wide Participation by Zimbabwean Teachers Reported in New Schools Strike

VOA 3 September 2009 By Jonga Kandemiiri Many of Zimbabwe’s public primary and secondary schools were idled Thursday on the second day of a teachers strike called by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, which is demanding a significant increase in monthly compensation for its members, though the rival Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe was not officially

Strike reveals rivalry among teachers

Zimbabwe Times 3 September 2009 HARARE – Zimbabwe’s teachers launched a countrywide strike which coincided with the opening of schools for the third term on Wednesday. But the uncoordinated strike action has exposed divisions between the two major teachers’ unions along what observers say are political lines. Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) president, Tendai Chikowore, which

Perennial Strikes Crippling Zimbabwe’s Once-Admired Education System

VOA 3 September 2009 By Patience Rusere Zimbabwe’s public school system, once considered the best in Africa, remains mired in crisis despite hope it would revive under the national unity government installed in February. David Coltart’s appointment as minister of education was welcomed by many including the unions representing teachers, and he has won plaudits

Start of new term marred by teachers strike

SW Radio Africa 3 September 2009 The start of the new school term has been marred by a strike by some teachers on Wednesday, after members of the leading teachers’ union refused to return to their posts. Schools reopened as scheduled on Wednesday, but many classes were suspended because of the nationwide strike. Teachers with

Teachers Heed Call Against Strike Action

The Herald 3 September 2009 Harare — Thousands of schoolteachers countrywide heeded calls by their unions to report for duty as lessons resumed in earnest for the third term yesterday. However, there was confusion in some provinces over the actual opening date as some schools had indicated to students and teachers that the third term

Undoing two decades of neglect

Prime Minister’s Newsletter www.zimbabweprimeminister.org 2nd September 2009 Schools are opening on Wednesday for the third term under the veil of a pay strike threat by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA). We interviewed the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart (DC) to find out more about the situation in public schools. Q: Are

Report for Duty, Unions Tell Teachers

The Herald 2 September 2009 By Lloyd Gumbo and John Manzongo Harare — Some teachers’ unions have urged their members to report for duty today following a meeting with senior Government officials over salaries and other work-related issues yesterday. Two of the three major unions the Progressive Tea-chers’ Union of Zimbabwe and the Teachers’ Union

Zimbabwe Teachers Divided Over Strike as New School Term Begins

VOA 2 September 2009 By Jonga Kandemiiri Many teachers heeded the call by the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association to go out on strike Wednesday as schools reopened for a new term. But instructors from the Progressive Teachers of Union showed up at their schools though some sources said there was not a lot of teaching taking

THRASS Synthetic Phonics Programme: Helping to Realise Dreams in Zimbabwe

PR Web 2 September 2009 The highly successful THRASS synthetic phonics programme has for some time been described as heralding the start of a new era in the teaching of English in Africa. Now, following two recent workshops in Harare and Nyanga, it is helping to realise the dreams of many children, parents, teachers and

Teachers do not report for duty

Zimbabwe Telegraph 2 September 2009 By Getrude Gumede HARARE – Most teachers did not report for duty when schools opened for the third term on Wednesday despite pleas from Government and two of their unions for them to take classes while their grievances are being looked into. The teachers who are demanding better salaries and