Is teaching a profession or slavery?
THE government lacks proper planning. It was important that the key actors, teachers, were agreeable to opening schools. Without these actors, nothing would happen. Walls can’t teach our children, headmasters cannot teach our children alone, neither do the education officers have a direct teaching input on our children, it is that impoverished teacher, the one who is grossly underpaid. This is the actor that is important.
Primary and Secondary Education minister Evelyn Ndlovu might think hiring temporary teachers is the solution. It’s not it! We must nip the problem in the bud by rewarding teachers and they will perform exceedingly well.
How in this era can a qualified teacher be earning less than $32 000, while a student teacher is paid $23 000? We are not serious as a nation. The teachers salaries are too low.
The money is not even enough to meet their transport costs, neither does it allow them to buy groceries. Shockingly, ancillary staff, groundsmen, bursars and cleaners, earn better than headmasters and teachers.
Does it mean that teachers have an employer who does not care for their welfare? Food for thought!
Since schools have reopened, learners are expected to be taken through their syllabus before they write examinations in October. They are raw. This is recipe for disaster.
The rural leaners are the worst affected. Their parents cannot afford even US$1 per month for extra lessons.
Teaching is a noble profession, not slavery. It is time government recognised teaching and reward the profession appropriately. Everyone in government is where they are because of a teacher.
Every industry leader is there because of that teacher who moulded them.
Lest we forget.
Forever Zimbabwean