Mixed fortunes for schools
FOLLOWING Government’s recent move to review civil servants’ remuneration packages, teachers have welcomed the development and are now getting down to serious business as the first term enters into its second week.
Government on Tuesday awarded civil servants a lucrative package that includes a 20 percent salary increment backdated to January 1, while the workers will also receive US$175.
A $20 000 school fees support for each biological child will also be paid.
In Rusape, Vengere High and St Joseph’s High schools were hives of activity as thousands of parents converged at their gates looking for Form One places.
It emerged that the majority of teachers at the two schools were away marking ZIMSEC exams, while some were helping out with the enrolment of Form Ones, thereby leaving a few manning the other classes.
A survey conducted by The Manica Post in Rusape showed that learning was in full throttle at John Cowie Primary School, St Joseph’s, Nyazura, Mavhudzi and St Faith’s High Schools as teachers heeded Government’s call to report for duty.
However at other schools, teachers were clocking in, marking registers and only giving learners work before vanishing as the week started.
In Mutare, most teachers were at their workstations, but there was very little activity in classes, save for examination classes.
In Chipinge, there was low turn-out of both teachers and children mostly in urban areas.
It is understood that only 17 out of 70 teachers reported for duty and were teaching at Gaza High School.
The situation only improved mid-week.
At boarding schools in the district, the situation was much better as most teachers reported for duty.
The School Development Committee chairperson for Mt Selinda High School, Mr Ashirai Mawere was confident that following Government’s review of civil servants’ salaries, the situation in schools would normalise.
“Some teachers are yet to report for duty as they are conducting the voter registration exercise, while others are marking ZIMSEC examinations.
‘‘These two programmes have affected staff attendance. We are also seized with Form One enrolment which disturbs learning,” he said.
At public schools across the province, some parents failed to secure Form One places for their children due to tight screening and admission rules prioritising those with higher grades.