THE Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) is yet to pay some examiners who marked the 2021 Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations, almost seven months after completing the exercise.
Examination results for both levels were released last
month.
In previous years, Zimsec would pay markers soon after the
marking process or before release of the results.
“It appears Zimsec is no longer concerned about our
payments because the results are already out. We signed our contracts early
this year and the value of the funds has been depreciating over the months.
“Zimsec should review our allowances in view of the rise in
the cost of living. This is to ensure that we benefit from the actual value,” a
marker, who requested anonymity, said.
Zimsec spokesperson Nicholette Dlamini said they were still
processing the payments.
“Examination markers are being paid, so I am not sure which
markers are claiming that they have not been paid. At the moment, Zimsec is in
the process of depositing the funds into the examiners’ accounts, which started
this week and the process will be complete by the end of this week,” Dlamini
said.
“In terms of the difference due to deprecation, I cannot
comment on that. We will pay them according to what we agreed. As for their grievances, they know our
structures and how to present them,” Dlamini added.
Scores of markers boycotted marking midway after Zimsec failed
to pay the agreed allowances.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill
Taderera said some members who received their payments from Zimsec last week,
but were disappointed that the money had lost its value.
This is despite the prevailing inflation where prices of
basic goods and services are going up each day. We expected Zimsec to
communicate its position with teachers. The value of money constantly changes,
hence the money that the teachers signed for is valueless,” Taderera said.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general
Raymond Majongwe said Zimsec was unwilling to address teachers’ plight.
“Authorities are trivialising the importance of teachers.
It is unfortunate that teachers rendered a service but are given a second-class
treatment on payment. Government is not making education a priority. It has
taken a position to vandalise the education system. How do you explain that one
has not yet received their dues seven months on, without any communication?”
Majongwe said.
Insiders told NewsDay that Zimsec was battling a financial
crisis which had resulted in it struggling to pay the markers. Newsday
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