Teachers launch tools-down campaign

THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) national executive council on Monday held a meeting to discuss, evaluate and define the future of education in Zimbabwe.

A number of issues were tabled and of particular note was the tools-down initiative which was embraced after wide consultation with its membership and other stakeholders.

The tools-down initiative arose out of a plethora of issues that have been left unaddressed for a long time pertaining to the quality of education and welfare of teachers.

The tools-down initiative of the 12 voices education campaign is an agreement by teachers to totally withdraw their labour until the government brings sanity in the sector and restore order to the once revered profession that has turned into a laughing stock.

Teachers are currently earning less than US$150, an amount which is paid in worthless Zimdollars. They are earning way below the minimum wage.

In the same vein, teachers have been and are demanding a restoration of the US$540 salary they were earning prior to October 2018 and the 12 voices for education campaign seeks to draw support and foster collaborations with critical stakeholders outside the membership of the teaching profession and aims at getting everyone on board with citizens being at the forefront of the campaign.

The campaign is going to take 12 days of intense action complemented by the support from parents, learners, lawyers, churches, traditional leaders, labour, Parliament, civic society and other progressive socio-economic groupings.

Each group will have a day of its own to collaborate with and support teachers as part of the campaign by decisively speaking out or acting in support with the tools-down campaign.

The campaign aims at bringing focus and creating collaborations while registering displeasure at the government’s lack of concern and compassion towards teachers and learners.

The campaign will run for 12 consecutive days, from November 15 to 26, 2021 hence the 12 voices for education theme which seeks to highlight the importance of the concept and involvement of everyone.