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Teachers demand USD 1200 salary
Radio VOP
September 09, 2008

http://www.radiovop.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3787&Itemid=755

Zimbabwe's striking teachers are demanding a salary equivalent to USD 1 200 per month among a host of other conditions to resume work further throwing the country's education system into disarray.

Teachers downed their tools at the beginning of the third term on Tuesday citing pathetic remuneration and a deplorable working environment.

"The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe has scientifically determined that a teacher now needs a minimum equivalent of USd 1 200 in Zimbabwe dollar terms per month to lead a decent life," the teachers' body said in a statement.

As August teachers earned a minimum salary of Zd 934 (revalued) against a Poverty Datumn Line figure of Zd 220 000 (revalued).

The new figure is above the USd 797 PTUZ have been clamouring for since the beginning of the year and raises a worrying fact: hyperinflation is eroding the value of foreign currency.

PTUZ said the obtaining circumstances are not conducive to professional execution of duties.

"Ignoring or relegating the adverse effects of this strike to the future of our children is not only risky but also suicidal. It is an unpardonable sin of irresponsibility to allow pupils to be taught by blacklegs, strike breakers and the so-called relief teachers," PTUZ said.

It said that the government should "urgently pay teachers a rescue package so that they can survive". It called on the wheels of justice to catch with those who perpetrated political violence against teachers. PTUZ said parents should "withdraw their sons and daughters from school until this matter is resolved otherwise sending children to school would be sheer waste of hard earned cash".

Over 20 000 qualified teachers have fled the country for the proverbial greener pastures in neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Namibia leaving Zimbabwe's children at the mercy of untrained teachers compromising the quality of the country's education system.

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