By A Correspondent| Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Mathema has claimed that the number of teachers who are reporting for duty are adequate to attend to pupils who are preparing for the December 5 examinations.

Mathema added that the learning in schools for the classes already open will not be disrupted, something that has been dismissed by teachers unions who have come up with a united position that they will only return to work once government meet their salary needs.

Speaking during a post cabinet press briefing yesterday, Mathema said 29 percent of teachers were reporting for duty.

“A number of teachers are not at work. About 29 percent are going to work…I want to assure learners and parents that exams will go on as scheduled. Learning will not be disrupted,” he said.

Labour and social welfare minister, Professor Paul Mavima also appealed to teachers to be realistic saying they should excercise moderation in the manner they demand salary increases.

“We are saying to civil servants please be realistic, exercise moderation in the manner in which you demand salary increases, we don’t want salary increases that will upset the stability & torpedo the economic recovery that we have started to see” Labour Minister Prof Paul Mavima.

But in response to Mavima’s remarks, PTUZ lashed back saying cabinet ministers were not being realistic as they did not have children in public schools.

The major problem is that none of the Cabinet ministers has a child in a public school. They have no dog in the fight. Their academic balance sheet won’t show red. That’s why they are thumping their nose at teachers. Sad for the learners