|
Back to Index
This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Message
to teachers and the nation
Progressive
Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)
April 27, 2008
The eight-year-old
political crisis in the country has been highly contagious to quality
of service in our schools. As we stated in the pre-election period,
the education system is infested with all sorts of problems ranging
from poor working conditions to declining quality of tuition. These
problems are surmountable. What is needed is collective commitment
by all players to secure a prosperous future for our children.
Sadly, a solution
to the Zimbabwean crisis is becoming elusive. During the current
post-poll stalemate we have witnessed the following forms of political
persecution on teachers:
- Teachers
who were Presiding Officers are being abducted in the middle of
the night and forced to write sworn statements to the effect that
they assisted in the rigging of elections.
- All over
the country, there are threats to 'deal' with teachers
when schools open for the second term on 29 April 2008. Hate speeches
are being uttered against teachers.
- Teachers
who were election officials are being arrested for allegedly committing
baseless electoral offences. The complainant is obscure. We wonder
why ZEC is not protecting the teachers.
- Some teachers
are being systematically assaulted.
Our Advice to
Teachers:
- Vacate the
school once political threats are uttered. Never take chances;
the country is full of bloodthirsty political ninjas and vampires.
- Report all
threats and attacks to the police and District Education Office
and go into hiding. Always inform the PTUZ for guidance and possible
assistance.
- If the political
environment is hostile don not report for duty until it is safe
to do so.
Our Demands
for Second Term:
- We demand
an end to violence against teachers. We are going to call for
a national solidarity strike if a single teacher is attacked during
the second term.
- We demand
the release of the presidential results to allow for normal functioning
of institutions of government. ZEC should act responsibly.
- AND WE DEMAND
an urgent review of teachers' salaries to a monthly rate
of $18bn (PDL) for the lowest paid classroom practitioner with
effect from 1 April 2008.
Visit the PTUZ
fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
