Eyewitness News
21st September 2009
Many of Zimbabwe’s children are back at school after the main teachers’ union directed members to end their three-week strike.
Zimbabwe’s education system is in a shambles and parents fear their children are far behind after two disrupted school years.
The main union ZIMTA says it now understands the efforts being made by the Education Ministry, headed by the Movement for Democratic Change’s David Coltart.
It has told its members to go back to work though salaries still stand at around R1 300.
ZIMTA came under fire for being pro-Zanu-PF but union officials say they made the decision to return to work when they realised Zanu-PF was actually hijacking the strike.
Militias were reported to be threatening teachers who were not on strike in the rural areas.
Teachers still are not happy with their pay packets.
Their dissatisfaction is echoed by thousands of civil servants.
The Public Service Association said if the government does not address the salary dispute this week, civil servants will down tools.