Harare (New Ziana)- Chinhoyi legislator Leslie Mhangwa has implored the government to improve salaries for teachers as a way of celebrating their invaluable contribution to the education sector.
In a Point of Interest that he raised in the National Assembly, Mhangwa said from their current monthly earnings, teachers were failing to afford basics such as health care.
The Point of Interest came as the country on Saturday celebrated the World Teachers Day.
“What is worrying Mr Speaker Sir, is the experience that I have had in the last few months that I have been a legislator. I have buried, in my constituency, more than three to four senior educators and in each case,
there was a struggle before the death to raise medical bills. Indeed, it is sad for such people who have given themselves to us as a people.
“I rise to speak on the plight of the teacher as we sing celebratory messages and send our well-wishes to the teachers, especially in this examination season. It is my plea that we go back and introspect, the type of teacher we used to have in the ’90s and ’70s,” said Mhangwa.
He said it was disheartening to note that teachers have resorted to vending in school premises to augment their earnings.
“It is on this platform that I stand to plead for the teacher. The teacher needs to be seen. The teacher needs his status reinstated. We all came from teachers, some of us even from families of teachers for us to be what we are today. It is imperative in this House that the plight of the teacher be seen and justice done,” he said.
In response, Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda said the government had great plans to reinstate the status of teachers.
“It is our hope that the Professional Teachers Council, once established, I think will be another instrument which the Government will use to have some compensation on issues like the ones you raise. Meanwhile, we will forward the matter to the two Ministers of Education on the plight of teachers and their status,” he said.
The debate on the plight of teachers comes as, through their unions, the educators are demanding US$1 260 salary per month.
New Ziana
