The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA), is urging parents to support teachers and their schools if their children are to get quality education.
ZIMTA chief executive officer, Sifiso Ndlovu, said parents should chip in where possible as the government continues to struggle financially and therefore failing to provide tools needed for teachers.
The call comes at a time when parents are preparing for schools to open Tuesday for the third term.
Representatives of teachers' unions were expected to meet with Education Minister Lazarus Dokora on Wednesday to discuss issues affecting the country’s education system.
But Studio 7 understands that the meeting has been postponed to a later date.
The main issue on the agenda is incentives that were being paid to some teachers by parents but were stopped by the government.
Studio 7 understands that teachers’ unions are divided over the issue, with the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe in support of the incentives while ZIMTA is opposed to this idea.
Ndlovu told VOA Studio 7 reporters that as an association they are against the idea of incentives as this divides teachers.
“The issue of incentives is divisive. It divides teachers and it is not sustainable. It cannot continue to be one way of paying government teachers because it burdens parents," said Ndlovu.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Students Union said their grievances remain the same as universities and colleges begin to open in the country.
Reporter Tatenda Gumbo spoke to ZINASU spokesman, Avoid Masirahwa, who said the union wants real responses from the government on issues affecting them.
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Interview With Sifiso Ndlovu