TEACHERS’ unions have renewed pressure on the government with fresh salary review demands, just as schools reopened yesterday.
The battle over pay threatens to disrupt the first term, highlighting long-standing tensions between teachers and the government over remuneration, working conditions and the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s education system.
The standoff could affect thousands of learners if a solution is not found quickly.
However, the government dismissed the latest teachers’ demands.
Primary and Secondary Education ministry director of communications and advocacy Taungana Ndoro told NewsDay that the government is committed to a smooth and successful start to the academic year.
“The ministry's focus remains on its core mandate, which is the uninterrupted delivery of quality education. All preparations for the 2026 school year are on course,” he said.
“Learning materials are being distributed, infrastructure is ready and our schools are prepared to receive learners. We expect all teachers to report for duty as scheduled, in fulfilment of their professional obligation to the nation's children. Remuneration issues are addressed through appropriate separate channels.”
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz formally requested a salary review and declared teacher incapacitation ahead of the school year.
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In a letter dated January 12 2026, addressed to Education minister Torerai Moyo and copied to Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister, and the Public Service Commission, Artuz secretary-general Robson Chere said there was need for a salary review.
“We write to remind you on behalf of our members demanding an urgent review of salaries for teachers and to remind you that teachers remain incapacitated to report for duty,” Chere said.
He said Artuz’s assessment of the living and working conditions of teachers puts a minimum of US$1 260 as the basic payment that is in line with the poverty datum line and with the bread basket demands.
“This will enable teachers to afford a living standard that upholds human dignity. As the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, we are concerned with the lack of response by the employer in addressing the underpayment of salaries of teachers,” Chere said.
“We further urge the government of Zimbabwe, as the employer, to embrace a genuine collective bargaining process that ensures outcomes that further the national interest of the country through the realisation of a well-funded education system.
“As schools open, we are worried that teachers will fail to report for duty because of financial incapacitation. The government should find a permanent solution to this perennial crisis.”
Artuz also called for a US$200 hardship allowance to be paid at the start of every term to enable teachers to report for duty and urged the government to engage in genuine collective bargaining for a well-funded education system.
Chere implored the government to attend to these issues and allow smooth opening of schools and undisturbed learning.
Meanwhile, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou stressed that the government must take teachers’ demands seriously. He urged unity among unions and civil servants, warning that failure to defend their rights will leave teachers marginalised.
“Teachers are tired of so many people attacking them for doing so much, with so little. There is, therefore, a greater need for unity of purpose across the teacher unions or even the civil service divide to build a critical force that can unreservedly and unflinchingly push the legitimate demands by all means necessary,” he said.
“Radicalisation of teachers to triumph over fear, false promises and suffering, let alone fight for better salaries and conditions of service, is no vice.
“We need to organise, mobilise and fight for an improvement in the welfare of teachers. While engagement is the first pursuit, industrial action must also be considered as part of the pursuit of engagement.”
He said a professional group that could not fight for its legitimate rights would never be taken seriously.
“Our collective wisdom and collective action will liberate us from poverty and penury,” he said.
