Originally published on GroundReport.com, the citizen journalism site covering world news at the local level.
As conditions continue to deteriorate in Zimbabwe, a teachers strike is threatening to prevent schools from opening in the first term of 2009. Teachers have been on an unabated industrial action since September last year, citing low salaries and poor working conditions, a situation that disrupted the final Grade Seven, 'A' and 'O' level exams.
This has hurt the reputation of the country's once vibrant and envied education sector, previously seen as an example in Africa.
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), the largest teacher's representative body that has not been infiltrated by the government, called for the postponement of schools opening saying the government should first address the plight of its members who form the largest number of the civil service.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said in an interview yesterday that, teachers would not get back to work unless the government bows down to their demands.
Teachers are demanding USD $800.
"Our members will not be going back to work given the government's inconsiderateness. After all, most teachers are outside the country doing menial jobs to keep their families alive," Zhou said.
He added that teacher's issue is no longer about salary increments in the local currency as the Zimbabwean dollar is now valueless and is hard to access at banks.
Currently, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono has pegged the daily cash limit to $10 billion per month, an amount which is insufficient to buy a plate of Zimbabwe's staple sadza meal.
"We are tired of negotiating in the local currency as it loses value overnight. Now the teachers want their salaries in foreign currency as it is now legal tender in the country. If there are licensed foreign currency shops in the country, then how do you expect them to buy goods when they are not paid in forex?" said Zhou.
No comment could not be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture by the time of publishing.
PTUZ's sentiments come in the backdrop of uncertainty over the grade seven results-which traditionally should have been announced by now so that prospective form one students can look for places at secondary schools.
Reports abound that 'O' and 'A' level exam markers were stranded in many towns after the exams body, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), failed to cater for their upkeep.
But officials from ZIMSEC vowed the exams would be announced 'well in time soon'.
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