Professor Mavima is proving to be a liability as the Education Minister. When he was Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, he is on record at remarking that “teaching is seasonal just like the tobacco industry and sugar industry in Chiredzi.” He was justifying the suspension of vacation leave for teachers in 2016. Recently, he was at it again threatening teachers that they would be fired from their job if they tried to follow what nurses did “as teaching is an essential service.”
It is clear the Professor is operating on unfamiliar terrain. To argue that teaching is seasonal and that teachers do not need to go on leave is the worst lunacy an education official may exude. We had forgiven the Minister assuming his proximity to Dr Lazarus Dokora had spoiled his conception of the profession, but sadly, he has continued with his school boy blunders. The Minister is not even aware of labour rights guaranteed under section 65 of our constitution, viz, the right to collective bargaining as well as the right to strike. To assume, therefore, that teachers are ‘an essential service that cannot go on industrial action’ is to unnecessarily reveal ignorance of key tenets a minister heading a line ministry must be aware of. Needless to mention that the Minister has no locus standi over labour grievances that must be addressed by the employer.
Professor Mavima is advised to do the most honourable thing of supporting teachers in their clamour for increase of salaries; reinstitution of vacation leave; declaration of schools as politics-free zones; increase of rural and hardships allowance; and resuscitation of trachers’ responsibility allowances. Anything less than this will see teachers abandoning classes when schools open.
Teachers are their own liberators. We have nothing to lose, but our chains of poverty and immiseration by an uncaring employer. Any threat to a teacher in Zimbabwe, will be a threat to every teacher in Zimbabwe. Our maxim collective effort would guarantee maximum gains and minimum losses, let alone guarantee success in this national cause. That cause is nothing more than a legitimate labour dispute and teachers’ quest for fair labour practice.
Viva PTUZ VIVA!!
VENCEREMOS!!
Cde Dr Takavafira Zhou (PTUZ President )