Zimonline.co.za
By Lizwe Sebatha
Tuesday 26 May 2009
BULAWAYO — Only 300 out of 6 000 qualified teachers who had quit the profession but want to return to their old jobs have been able to do so, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said Monday.
Union secretary general Raymond Majongwe blamed bureaucratic delays at the education ministry plus demands by officials for returning teachers to produce police clearance letters for frustrating and turning away many teachers at a time most public schools were facing a severe shortage of
trained teachers.
“According to our survey, out of the over 6 000 returning teachers, only about 300 have been re-admitted into the profession. One wonders what really is happening and why real teachers are not being re-hired when there is a serious shortage of teaching staff,” said Majongwe.
Teachers wanting to re-join government service were also being asked to produce grading certificates, which many of those who had quit their jobs many years ago apparently do not have.
Senator David Coltart, Education Minister, did not confirm Majongwe’s figures of teachers who have been blocked from returning to schools but said his office had not asked education officers to demand clearance letters and grading certificates before rehiring teachers.
“The new requirements are in violation of our circular over the re-engagement of teachers. The circular does not demand a police clearance and a grading certificate,” said Coltart, who has been praised for his efforts to try to revive Zimbabwe’s collapsed public education sector.
Teachers who had quit in frustration because of low pay trooped back to the profession after the government started paying monthly allowance in foreign currency.
The government has promised to increase the US$100 monthly allowances to match regional salaries once revenue inflows to treasury improve.