Teachers ready to hit ground running
SCHOOLS in Manicaland Province are ready to open for the Second Term on Tuesday, with stakeholders appealing to the Government and development partners to assist them with necessary tools to promote blended learning — a method of teaching that integrates technology and digital media with traditional instructor-led classroom activities so that learners catch up on lost time.
As schools reopen for physical tutorials, stakeholders concur that learners still require extra support from teachers to catch up on their learning following recent Covid-19 induced disruptions.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was working with schools to meet health guidelines through the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect learners and teachers from Covid-19 and other health hazards.
The process is standard-driven, with Government availing funding for the purchase of PPEs for teachers and learners to ensure that no institution is left out.
Zimbabwe Rural Teachers’ Union (ZRTU) president, Mr Martin Chaburumbunda, said teachers were ready to resume work and urged Government to avail them the requisite tools to discharge their mandate.
“The ministry must ensure the presence of enough masks, sanitisers and washing points in all schools for learners, teachers and ancillary staff. All schools must have efficient ways to screen students and staff.
“They should also be able to act with speed when Covid-19 cases are detected. Such facilities must be at each school, especially in the remote parts of the nation,” he said.
Speaking on the issue of remuneration, Mr Chuaburumunda said teachers should report for duty while they engage in dialogue with Government.
“Inflation has eroded teachers’ earnings such that they can hardly afford basics like groceries, transport, school fees and clothing. These are genuine grievances and we implore the employer to critically look into these issues and adjust teachers’ salaries in tandem with the prevailing economic situation.
“Our members and their children are going to school on Tuesday and the pressures are being felt even more at this juncture, hence our appeal to the employer to explore means to cushion teachers as they discharge their mandate,” said Mr Chaburumunda.
Parents also implored teachers to pursue dialogue with Government and desist from dragging their feet at work in a bid to push for their grievances.
They said teachers should report for duty and even introduce refresher and evening lessons coupled with supplemental assignments while their grievances are being looked into.
Zimbabwe School Development Association/Committees (ZSDA/C) general secretary, Mr Everisto Jongwe said they expect schools to reopen without incidence and for teachers to be in their classes delivering lessons.
Mr Jongwe called upon parents to pay school fees early so that schools can meet their goals and targets.
National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) president, Mr Arthur Maphosa said teachers are ready for the new term.
“Our only concern at the moment is that we are approaching winter. This means schools need to double their precautionary measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in schools. Apart from that, we are very ready to reopen and do not foresee any major problems.
“Schools still require assistance from
Government and its partners to put in place preventative and detective measures for Covid-19. There is also an outbreak of a cold, so schools need expert assistance to be able to differentiate between Covid-19 and the common cold,” said Mr Maphosa.
Mr Maphosa also said teachers and Government need to find each other.
“If a strike happens, then it will be unfortunate because it will certainly disrupt learning and affect innocent learners who should be catching up. There should be a way of finding each other between the employer and the unions to avoid this from happening. That is the best solution.,” said Mr Maphosa.
Government has been consistently engaging with teachers’ union representatives, urging them to be realistic in their demands, cognisance of the prevalent economic situation.
Teacher representatives are calling for a minimum salary of US$520 or the equivalent at the auction rate.
However, Government has indicated that paying in United States of America dollars would be unsustainable and retrogressive.
Last term, Government offered teachers a 20 percent pay increase backdated to January 1, a total of
US$175 and other incentives including school fees for their biological children and housing loans.