TEACHERS have lashed out at the proposal made at the Zanu PF National People’s Conference to employ “ideologically grounded workers” in the civil service, saying the move politicises government employees.
The Zanu PF National People’s Conference, which ended in Mutare on Saturday, directed the government to deploy within the public service ideologically grounded cadres who align with the party values.
The directive, according to the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz), is alarming and will be resisted.
It said the civil service, including the teaching profession, must remain professional, neutral and accountable to the State, not to a political party.
“Teachers are public servants, not political agents. Turning schools into ideological spaces threatens the neutrality of the classroom, compromises curriculum integrity and exposes learners to partisan manipulation,” Artuz said.
“Education must be a space of inquiry, not indoctrination. Such priorities expose a widening disconnect between the ruling elite and the realities faced by ordinary Zimbabweans.”
It called on the government to uphold the independence and professionalism of the civil service.
“Artuz stands firmly against any move that threatens democracy, politicises the public service or diverts national resources away from education.”
- Schools closure fuel drug abuse
- Riding roughshod on restive workers will backfire Mr President
- Schools closure fuel drug abuse
- Riding roughshod on restive workers will backfire Mr President
Keep Reading
Progressive Teachers Union in Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said the plan was ill-conceived, adding that Zanu PF was trying to push its ideological perspectives on the public sector.
“We do not expect the conflation of State and party affairs. There is no need to introduce ideological principles but harness expertise from citizens across the political divide,” he said.
“What is important are ideas and professional expertise from a broad spectrum of citizens. Zanu PF leaders must respect people and try not to cultivate ideological narrow mindedness,” Zhou said.
He said there was no need for civil servants to attend the Chitepo School of Ideology, creating narrow-minded partisan supporters in the process.
However, Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera has a different perspective regarding the directive.
“I think when they say that they must make sure that ideologically grounded people should be incorporated into the civil service, I think as a nation we must be like the Americans and the British.
“When it comes to a national ideology, when it comes to foreign policy, they all converge and speak with one language and one voice. I am not saying we must then follow what Zanu PF or MDC does,” he said.
Taderera argued that the specific ideologies should be put under review.
“Ideology must be followed to make sure that we realise Education 5.0 so that we merge all the corners of our economic activities.
“It is not like we must follow a political party ideology, but we must follow a national ideology where people must speak with one voice,” he said.
