KWEKWE – More than 50 teachers at Mbizo High Government School have threatened to embark on a job action over an incentives row, amid allegations of ill-treatment at the hands of the headmaster. Report by Blessed Mhlanga
In a petition dated June 29 and addressed to the headmaster Jim Mpalale and the School Development Association (SDA), the teachers said they were angry because the headmaster appeared to be greedy and had taken it upon himself to abuse teachers verbally.
“Teachers are not happy at how the headmaster treats them, he is abusing staff verbally,” part of the petition signed by 53 teachers at the school reads. “Teachers don’t want to be threatened. There are so many examples of teachers who have been abused.”
Mpalale, according to the petition gets $300 in incentives per month without fail while the rest of the teaching staff are supposed to get $170, but are not getting the money, raising tempers and dampening morale.
“The headmaster is getting his incentives without fail every month, but teachers are not. Worse, still he gets $300 way above the $170 we get – what is so special about him?” the petition reads.
SDA chairman and former Kwekwe police spokesperson, Mehluli Dube said he was not aware of the simmering tensions at the school, because he was yet to see the petition.
“I have not yet seen the petition and therefore, cannot comment on things that have not been brought to my attention. Go and tell those who gave you the petition to also give me,” he said.
Mpalale was not available at the school and his number went unanswered since Friday.
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Teachers, however, accused Dube of lying, saying it was his attitude which has left them with no option but to consider job action.
Mbizo High School teachers said if the SDA does not come up with a solution this could be the last week normal lessons will go ahead. Last week lessons at Emthonjeni Primary School came to a standstill after teachers refused to conduct lessons until the SDA paid them their incentives.
