Parents call out ‘selfish’ teachers
Brian Rungano Temba
Parents have expressed their displeasure with the manner that the school term has been unfolding, accusing teachers of using their children as pawns in labour fights.
Since schools were opened two weeks ago, there has been very little progress in public schools due to a teacher strike led by Western sponsored trade unions, ARTUZ and PTUZ.
Government has tabled a better salary offer, but the teachers have remained stubborn, prompting parents to ask questions.
During a recent Twitter space on the subject facilitated by the Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe, parents took turns to call teachers out over their behaviour.
“We have been tolerating the dismal attendance of teachers to lessons ever since COVID-19 lockdowns began since it was beyond their control. We were misinformed to think that Government was to blame for our children’s lack of teacher-student interaction but we are disillusioned to the truth now.
These teachers are sloths and will find any excuse to stay at home. The quarrel over payment and salary increment is between their employer and them, not with our children,” an incensed parent said.
Another parent equated the current situation to a hostage scenario.
Makonewa kuita nhauriranwa dzenyu here vana vachidzidza?” she asked.
Obert Masaraure leader of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) was at pains explaining the thinking behind the strike.
However, it has since emerged that teachers are making money through extra lessons and selling education on the black market.
They are charging learners US$5 per week, and if one has a class of 50, it means they get US$150 per week.
Children whose parents cannot afford will be ignored, while attention is given to those who would have paid.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said it will deploy inspectors to monitor learning at the country`s schools.
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