Karoi is among several districts in Mashonaland West
province that have been declared COVID-19 hotspots by the Health ministry and
is under localised lockdown.
One of the deceased teachers, Goodluck Tobaiwa Chambe, of
Chikangwe High School was a principal marking supervisor under the Combined
Science section.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general
Raymond Majongwe said it was sad that Chambe died without getting his dues for
marking last year’s examinations.
“We are not happy that the late Karoi teacher (Chambe) was
yet to get paid by Zimsec. He never got his dues and this is how bad it is as
people who offered services, but national institutions renege on making
payments. The impact of COVID-19 is obviously felt as he could have used the
funds to buy protective equipment and to get medical attention. This is a
tragedy,” Majongwe said.
Zimsec public relations manager Nicky Dlamini confirmed
that teachers, who marked the 2020 examinations, were yet to be paid.
“We are sorry for the family’s loss. Let me confirm that
the payments for teachers, who marked Zimsec examinations, are currently being
processed. Those that marked language papers were paid in May, the next batch
of payments is being dispatched,” Dlamini said.
“COVID-19 affected many systems, not only Zimsec, but
globally. It is unfortunate, but the payments were made in batches.”
Majongwe said more teachers were likely to succumb to the
pandemic, and appealed to government to immediately put in place measures to
protect them.
“We appeal to government to ensure teachers’ welfare is
safeguarded during COVID-19. Teachers need respect, and as far as PTUZ is
concerned, it is criminal to proceed and reopen schools as if things are normal
when we know the impact that is being felt now through loss of our members,” he
said. Newsday
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