HARARE – Zimbabwe’s schools Monday reopened for pupils in two grades as part of a gradual process that will see all pupils return to class by early November.But many teachers did not report for work, as their union demanded that the government should first pay them a COVID-19 allowance and improve their salaries and working conditions.Raymond Majongwe, secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union which is one of the largest in Zimbabwe, said teachers would report for work as soon as the government agreed to their demands.“Teachers cannot afford the busfare to report for duty.
They cannot even afford to pay school fees for their own children from the pathetic salaries that they get, yet they are expected to teach other people’s.