The reopening of Zimbabwean primary and secondary schools next week could be disrupted because teachers are seeking a 400% increase in salaries in response to inflation over 7,000% and are threatening to strike if this demand is not met.
Teacher representatives have notified the government of their demands through the so-called Apex Council which comprises the Public Service Association and the Zimbabwe Teachers Association. Teachers Association President Tendai Chikowore confirmed the demand but declined to specify the amount sought. She added that negotiations are in progress between the Apex Council and the government.
The first school term of the year in January was delayed by a national teachers strike that lasted into February. A teachers union was threatening to take action again if its members did not receive at least $15 million a month, from $2.9 million now.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe General Secretary Raymond Majongwe told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the union’s national executive council would meet late Tuesday to take a final decision on the matter.