By A Correspondent- The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), has accused the government of “bribing” the directorate at Provincial and Head Offices by offering them soft loans so that they facilitate the reopening of schools.
In a statement, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the directors are getting $200 000 loans each from the government within five days of applying.
Said Zhou:
… we want to make it clear that this attempt to oil the directorate to drive teachers back to schools is futile. We urge the directorate that government oppressive generosity to them must never be abused against teachers.
Let it be known to the few members of the directorate that pocketing the $200 000 is no licence to making them adopt an intransigent and irresponsible approach to force teachers to report for work from 28 September 2020.
Zhou urged the government to capacitate teachers and ensure that their safety concerns in light of the coronavirus crisis are addressed before the phased reopening of schools starting later this month.
He said:
We urge the government to do the most honourable thing of capacitating teachers and prioritising their health and safety if it dreams of successfully re-opening schools in 2020.
Teachers remain ready to open schools, but only after addressing their welfare, health and safety concerns. Time is ticking away with Minister Matema failing to engage and facilitate the capacitation of teachers.