AT least 1 350 primary and secondary school teachers have
been recruited this term as Government seeks to improve the teacher to student
ratio and ensure quality education through the implementation of the new
curriculum.
The latest second round of recruitment is part of an
exercise to add 3 000 teachers to the education sector, where the teacher to
student ratio is estimated to be at an average of 1:120.
Government unlocked recruitment of teaching staff last year
after a 2014 freeze that was meant to rationalise the civil service and cut its
wage bill.
The unfreezing of teacher recruitments came amid reports
that some classes had as many as 165 pupils.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education permanent
secretary Dr Tumisang Thabela told The Sunday Mail that, so far, over 2 600
teachers had been recruited.
“The ministry is working together with the Public Service
Commission and last week (a fortnight ago), we recruited the second cohort of
teachers.
“To date, a total 2 657 teachers have been recruited,
leaving a balance of 343 from the initial allocation of 3 000 teachers that was
approved by Treasury.
“The remaining cohort is set to be recruited soon,” she
said.
Dr Thabela said there is a huge shortage of teachers in the
country, hence the recruitment will reduce the teacher to pupil ratio. She said
the absorption of more teachers in the education sector will facilitate
implementation of the new school curriculum, which was rolled out in 2016.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association president and Apex council
team leader Mr Richard Gundani welcomed the recruitment of the teachers.
“The move that the ministry, together with the commission,
is taking in recruiting more teachers is a great development as the country is
in short supply of qualified teachers,” he said.
“The most affected are the rural schools, where teachers
are under pressure, yet their salary is low.
“Most teachers are migrating from rural areas to urban
areas, which means that at the end of the day, students in urban areas will
receive quality education.
“We encourage the Government not to apply austerity
measures when it comes to education so that we keep maintaining the high
standards in the sector,” he said
However, Mr Gundani said while they appreciate the current
recruitment exercise, it still falls short as the country requires 10 000 more
teachers. Sunday News
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