By Naledi Nyoni
HARARE — The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has demanded improved salaries, better housing, rural hardship allowances and genuine collective bargaining for teachers as Zimbabwe joins the world in commemorating World Teachers’ Day.
In a statement issued on Monday, ARTUZ said teachers could no longer be celebrated in speeches while their working and living conditions continued to deteriorate.
“Teachers cannot continue to be celebrated in speeches while their material conditions, professional rights and dignity remain under threat,” the union said.
ARTUZ said the current grading system was a major source of frustration, arguing that it failed to adequately recognise teachers’ responsibilities, experience, qualifications and professional progression.
The union called for a transparent grading system and salaries that restore teachers’ purchasing power and allow them to support their families without relying on debt or supplementary income-generating activities.
“Our demand for fair compensation is not a privilege; it is a demand for dignity, justice and recognition of the essential work teachers perform,” ARTUZ said.
The union also raised concerns over the shortage of decent and affordable accommodation, particularly for teachers working in rural and remote areas.
ARTUZ called for improved teacher accommodation, stronger housing allowances and practical housing schemes tailored to teachers’ needs.
Rural teachers, the union said, continued to work under difficult conditions while receiving inadequate compensation for the hardships associated with remote postings.
“Equal recognition of teachers must translate into policies that address the unequal conditions under which they work,” ARTUZ said, renewing its demand for meaningful rural hardship allowances.
The union also criticised what it described as the absence of genuine collective bargaining, arguing that dialogue without binding agreements could not adequately protect teachers’ interests.
“Dialogue that does not result in binding, enforceable and fair agreements cannot substitute for genuine collective bargaining,” ARTUZ said.
ARTUZ said it would continue pursuing legal and institutional mechanisms to advance teachers’ constitutional right to collective bargaining.
The union further highlighted deteriorating school infrastructure, citing inadequate classrooms, shortages of learning materials, poor sanitation and limited access to essential services.
It called for increased and equitable investment in public schools, particularly in rural and marginalised communities.
ARTUZ also demanded the alignment of the Public Service Act with constitutional provisions and the rights of public servants.
Despite the challenges, the union said its 12-year history had produced gains, including campaigns for US dollar salaries, improved access to GEMS loans and restoration of teachers’ access to payslips.
ARTUZ said it had also used the courts to defend collective bargaining and had challenged partisan interference in schools through its #SafeSchoolsCampaign.
The union said it had resisted what it described as enforced ideological indoctrination of teachers through partisan programmes, including concerns surrounding the Chitepo School of Ideology.
It also claimed an approximately 90% success rate in its legal representation of members facing disciplinary and employment-related disputes.
ARTUZ said it had advocated for inclusive education during the Covid-19 pandemic and continued to campaign for one examination board and against discrimination based on union affiliation.
The union said the fight for better working conditions was, however, far from over.
It said it was pursuing legal action against the grading system and International Labour Organisation procedures over outstanding issues arising from the conciliation process.
ARTUZ said findings from its Teacher Basket of Needs Survey would also be used to strengthen its campaign for salaries and working conditions that reflect the cost of living.
The union urged the government to demonstrate measurable progress on remuneration, grading, accommodation, rural allowances, collective bargaining, school infrastructure and the alignment of the Public Service Act.
“A country cannot build a strong education system on the exhaustion, financial distress and professional frustration of its teachers,” ARTUZ said.
The union called on teachers to remain united and organised, while urging the government to treat their demands as legitimate labour rights issues rather than inconveniences.
“Twelve years of standing with teachers have strengthened our conviction that lasting progress is achieved through solidarity, courage, evidence-based advocacy and collective action,” ARTUZ said.
ARTUZ concluded by calling for greater investment in teachers and public education.
“Respect the teacher. Restore professional dignity. Pay teachers fairly. Fund public education. Defend our rights,” the union said.
