Zimbabwe Teachers’ Strike Inconsistent Amid Fears of Reprisals – Reuters

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE – A teachers’ strike at state schools in Zimbabwe began with mixed participation, as some educators stayed home while others slowed down their work due to concerns about potential intimidation from security forces following a crackdown on protests last month.

The country is facing a severe economic crisis characterized by cash shortages and soaring prices of essential goods. This situation worsened after President Emmerson Mnangagwa increased fuel prices by 150% last month.

The spike in fuel costs triggered demonstrations and incidents of looting, prompting a harsh response from security agents. Human rights organizations report that the crackdown resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, while police state that the number is three.

In several schools around central Harare, most teachers were present, but some refrained from conducting lessons as part of the strike effort, according to eyewitness accounts. At a primary school in Harare’s Mbare township, for instance, one teacher was seen eating her lunch while the students sat quietly. Both she and the headmistress declined to comment.

The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA), the largest teachers’ union, urged its members in a circular: "Stay home, be safe. Don’t be intimidated by police and CIOs (Central Intelligence Organisation)."

Zimbabwe employs over 100,000 public sector teachers. Reports suggest that in Bulawayo, the nation’s second-largest city, several teachers did not report to work, leaving parents to pick up their children early. ZIMTA president Richard Gundane noted, "Some teachers are in class, but there is no meaningful teaching going on."

Public sector workers are advocating for wage increases and payments in U.S. dollars to address the challenges posed by rampant inflation and an economic crisis that has impacted the availability of fuel and medicines. Despite adopting the U.S. dollar in 2009, many Zimbabweans feel their purchasing power has diminished, and they believe Mnangagwa has failed to fulfill his pre-election promises to revitalize the economy after the departure of Robert Mugabe in 2017.

While some public workers expressed support for the teachers’ strike, many chose not to join for fear of the unstable security situation and a desire to continue negotiations with the government.

Economic difficulties have also compelled the government to permit nurses to work only three days a week due to inadequate funds for transportation, as reported by the nurses’ union.

The government is appealing to teachers’ unions to engage in dialogue, emphasizing the potential negative impact on children if the situation remains unresolved.