Artuz launches ‘save our education' campaign

THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) launched a massive campaign dubbed Black Friday #SaveOurEducationZW countrywide last week. The campaign focuses on mourning the collapse and demise of our education system. It was also meant to plant trees as a symbol of the fight to resuscitate a sustainable education system.

A total of 1 633 protesters clad in black apparel comprising Artuz members, teachers and parents participated in the campaign in various districts countrywide.

Teachers and parents submitted over 46 petitions to different education districts demanding the following:

The ongoing apartheid examinations must be stopped. Learners from poor backgrounds are being forced to write examinations they never prepared for. This travesty of justice must be stopped. Examinations must be rewritten in 2021 after adequate preparation.

Schools should be closed until COVID-19 safety measures have been instituted. Schools are failing to adhere to COVID-19 regulations because of underfunding. The blind mass transmission of the coronavirus in schools must be stopped!

Teachers' salaries should be restored to US$520. The incapacitation crisis remains unresolved. The government should urgently restore the value of teachers' salaries so that our teachers fully return to duty.

Artuz wishes to reduce desertification and global warming through preserving the environment and playing a positive role in climate change. A total of 1 426 trees were planted on Friday.

The trees will continuously be nurtured as they symbolise a sustainable education system.

As Artuz, we would like to thank everyone who took part in the campaign, teachers, parents individuals, organisations and online users for the unconditional solidarity.

The fight for teachers freedom is on.

As we wrap up year 2020, the #SaveOurEducationZW campaign is the beginning of a sustained struggle against teacher oppression, poor quality and discriminatory education system. In 2021 schools will not open until our needs are respectfully and fairly addressed. More fighting tactics are in place to face an arrogant employer.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union Zimbabwe