TEACHERS from Masvingo have complained of being forced by
education ministry officials to complete forms that will allow government to
deduct 2,5% tax from their salaries to fund stocking of garrison shops at
military barracks.
On the other hand, in rural schools of the province, some
headmasters and education officials were reportedly telling teachers that the
forms they will be filling would be for distribution of food vouchers by
Government.
Takavafira Zhou, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe
(PTUZ) president confirmed the developments and lambasted the practice.
“Several teachers have been cheated into writing their full
names, EC numbers, ID numbers and indicating that they want vouchers when in
reality they are signing acceptance to contribute 2,5% for garrison shops. It
is sad there are some school heads who have joined in the duping of teachers at
their schools,” he said.
“Why would the Ministry of Education entice teachers to
apply for vouchers when other ministries distributed vouchers without any
application, we wonder? Why would the ministry require a teacher’s details that
they already have?” asked Zhou.
Government last week proposed deducting 2,5% tax from all
civil servants to create a fund to give its workers cheaper loans. It also
announced the introduction of garrison shops in barracks, raising suspicion
that the 2,5% tax was to fund the military tuckshops.
Investigations by NewsDay revealed that the affected
teachers were from schools such as Chikato Primary School, Rwambiwa Primary
School, Chada Primary, Negovanhu Primary and Arch Munaka Secondary School.
There is also Bare Primary School and Batanai Secondary School.
Masvingo provincial education director Welcome Zedias
Chitiga, was not picking up calls yesterday.
“Teachers must never salivate at the garrison poison
carrot. For those who have not yet signed the so called voucher applications,
be warned! To be forewarned is to be for armed. The garrison shops should be
resisted by all means,” he said.
Meanwhile, Primary and Secondary Education permanent
secretary, Tumisang Thabela on Wednesday said government lacked enough money to
recruit more teachers to address the current staff shortage.
Speaking at the commissioning of state-of-the-art science
laboratory at Selukwe Chrome High School in Shurugwi and multi-purpose sports
court and bus donation to Impali Primary School from Unki Mine, Thabela said
although government gave her ministry the go ahead to recruit 5 000 teachers,
they had only managed to employ half of that number because of lack of
financial resources.
“We are obviously worried as a ministry that there is a
shortage of teachers,” she said. “Although we were given the green-light to
recruit 5 000 teachers, this year we have so far managed to employ 2 500
because we don’t have enough money to pay them.”
She added: “We will, however, continue to engage so make
sure that we fill the gap. The shortage of teachers is one among other several
challenges we face as a ministry.” Newsday
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