TOP government officials were last night locked up in a crunch meeting with teachers’ union leaders to resolve the salary impasse and end a crippling strike which started on Tuesday, with about 80% of the teachers joining the industrial action.
A majority of teachers across the country have not been reporting for duty since Tuesday, citing incapacitation due to high transport costs and poor salaries.
The striking teachers are demanding their salaries to be paid in United States dollars or a minimum of $1 700 in bond notes
The meeting came as the teachers claimed they were being terrorised by State security agents at a time the Public Service Commission (PSC) has also threatened to deduct their salaries for absenteeism.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe yesterday confirmed government had invited them to resolve the stand-off.
He said the government team comprised Primary and Secondary Education minister Paul Mavima, PSC representatives and officials from the Office of the President.
“Apparently, things have changed with regards to the future of our struggle. We are meeting with the government tonight,” Majongwe said.
“The reason for the meeting is to see how best we can salvage this situation. We have been saying we want to engage the government and the fact that they have (agreed) to meet the education sector, which is on strike, the meeting will liberate ourselves.”
He said they accepted to meet the government because “we are in a crisis”.
“We can’t pretend that things are right. Pupils need to learn yes, but teachers also need to be able to care for their families. We are saying time for dialogue is now,” Majongwe said.
“We are happy that government is inviting us for dialogue. I want to believe that in this engagement, something fruitful and positive will come out. Our emphasis is very simple, we want to concentrate on making sure that our salaries are improved. It’s time for practical solutions.”
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) president Richard Gundane said he was optimistic of a positive outcome after the meeting.
“We are the giants when it comes to the issue of dialogue. We are the people who travel to Geneva every June. We travel all over the world. We know about dialogue,” he said.
Gundane said the Apex Council, which represents the whole civil service, was nothing without members of Zimta and PTUZ, who constituted 80% of government workers.
Some teachers were reportedly absconding from duty, while others were reporting, but not attending to classes.
