Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe

SG Chere appears at Roten Row Court.

The Secretary General of the ARTUZ, who was released on bail yesterday, having spent 35 days in pre-trial detention appeared in Court today. The SG is falsely accused of engaging in a disorderly conduct at Rotten Row Court. The case has been postponed to 30 September for trial date.

Government escalating disinformation ahead of schools opening.

05 September 2024

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ notes with revulsion the disinformation campaign being run by government ahead of schools opening.

This is now the new modus operandi of the ZANU PF government, using propaganda to evade accountability.

The ARTUZ conducted a credible survey on state of preparedness ahead of schools opening. The credibility of the survey has not been challenged by the authorities because the findings are authentic. The government however chose to deploy propaganda to mislead the nation.

The Union hereby sets the record straight responding to some purported resolutions from the defunct NJNC and utterances of MoPSE mouthpiece Taungana Ndoro

1. The NJNC announced some vague discussions on Clothing allowance and COLA. The ARTUZ posits that a fair wage will enable Civil Servants to buy clothes of their choice. The discussion around clothes allowance is just a waste of everyone’s time. Government must pay Civil Servants a fair wage and they will afford clothes, food and other basics.

The NJNC claims that COLA will be discussed on 11 September. As usual the government wants to test the waters on schools opening. To gauge the anger among teachers.

The ARTUZ calls upon teachers to take heed of the call for sick leave on the 10th of September. If schools opening is aborted, government will offer a genuine COLA on the 11th of September.

2. Addressing Challenges of BEAM. Ndoro is quoted in the Newsday saying government is working to address challenges with BEAM. There are no details shared on what challenges are being addressed and how long it will take to address these challenges.

This is now a tired narrative, BEAM challenges have blighted our education system for a long time and our schools are seriously under funded because government continues to use BEAM model to evade financing education.

ARTUZ calls on the government to scrap BEAM and replace the policy with a new financing model which is in sync with s 75 of the constitution and compatible with our lived realities.

Zimbabwe adopted State funded education through s75 of the Constitution and provisions of the Education Act. Given the context there is no longer need to fund education only for vulnerable children but for all children on equity basis. Almost 100% of learners in rural areas are vulnerable due to drought situation and economic situation. The BEAM criteria is no longer compatible with lived realities.

ARTUZ recommends that government releases education grants to each learner on the basis of equity. P3 and S3 learners should receive the highest amountof funds given their more pronounced vulnerability.

Government has failed to address BEAM challenges in the past and they will never address them now.

3. School Feeding Program

The ARTUZ report clearly acknowledged government’s attempts to deliver grain to schools. A program which is being derailed by corruption, inefficiency born out of over centralization and underfunding.

The Union recommends that the school feeding program be extended to secondary schools because all learners are in dire need of food support. Regional Task Force teams be set up comprising of government officials, Unions, business, Civil Society and other stakeholders to come with strategies of mobilizing food for our schools. Distribution of government secured food aid should also be done through these teams to enhance accountability. The teams should also work on a long term strategy for strengthening food production in schools so that in future our schools can feed their own learners.

4. Ndoro says government is running an awareness campaign on the Mpox outbreak. Unfortunately the people who are supposed to be beneficiaries of the campaign, particularly teachers and learners are not receiving any information.

ARTUZ encourages more Stekeholder involvement in such campaigns for effectiveness.

5. Some NJNC circular responds to the loud call from ARTUZ demanding the disbandment of the NJNC and setting up of Collective Bargaining Council.

The response is that some fat cats who have conducted countless study tours on Collective Bargaining will present findings by 7 October. This is an insult to Civil Servants who have been denied right to Collective Bargaining for years now. For Collective Bargaining to become a reality the laws simply have to be aligned to the constitution. The ARTUZ has presented a model law which incorporates a Collective Bargaining Council to the government. Government also has a draft bill speaking to the same. Findings from all study visits are already captured in different drafts in government offices.

What is only left are timelines on when the amendments to the Public Sector laws are going to be pushed through parliament and become law.

The ARTUZ urges government to stop dilly dallying with the granting of the right to Collective Bargaining for Civil Servants.

6. PSMAS saga. In response to the ARTUZ call for the dissolution of PSMAS, NJNC claims that there are some improvements without giving any details, NJNC further pledges to share information later.

This information is coming from people who sit in the PSMAS Board and are among those fingered in the stinking corruption at PSMAS.

ARTUZ calls upon Civil Servants to demand the urgent dissolution of PSMAS and establishment of a new efficient Medical Aid facility for Civil Servants. PSMAS is now a milking Cow for a cartel of greedy elites. Civil servants have a right to affordable quality healthcare, government as employer should support this change process.

𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐙 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤
𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐳𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬.𝐨𝐫𝐠.𝐳𝐰

𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
+𝟐𝟔𝟑𝟕𝟕𝟔𝟏𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟑𝟔/𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟒𝟕𝟑𝟏𝟑𝟓/𝟕𝟕𝟓𝟔𝟒𝟑𝟏𝟗𝟐

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐙 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

31 July 2024

We are appalled to learn that the Zimbabwean government has arrested the National Secretary General of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), Robson Chere, who was planning to attend the 5th African Philanthropy Conference in Victoria Falls this week.

This is a blatant act of political repression against a respected civil society leader who was simply exercising his right to participate in an important international gathering.

The ARTUZ Secretary General is a tireless advocate for the rights and welfare of Zimbabwe's teachers and rural communities. His arrest is a clear attempt by the government to silence a prominent voice of dissent and to discourage others from speaking out against the regime's failures and abuses.

This conference was an opportunity for the ARTUZ Secretary General to connect with fellow activists and philanthropists from across Africa to discuss solutions to the very real challenges facing Zimbabwe. But the government, in its fear of transparency and accountability, has now robbed him of that platform.

We condemn this arrest in the strongest possible terms and demand the immediate and unconditional release of the ARTUZ Secretary General. The people of Zimbabwe have a fundamental right to organize, assemble, and advocate for change without facing state repression.

We call on the international community to exert maximum pressure on the Zimbabwean government to respect human rights and allow civil society to operate freely. The arrest of this union leader is a shameful attack on democracy and must not be tolerated. The voices of teachers and everyday Zimbabweans will not be silenced!

𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐙 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤

𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐳𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬.𝐨𝐫𝐠.𝐳𝐰
𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
+𝟐𝟔𝟑𝟕𝟕𝟔𝟏𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟑𝟔/𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟒𝟕𝟑𝟏𝟑𝟓/𝟕𝟕𝟓𝟔𝟒𝟑𝟏𝟗𝟐

Masaraure Obert
Munyaradzi Masiyiwa
Community Radio Harare
Christine Kayumba

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

As the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), we would like to express our gratitude as we recognize our outstanding award recipients for their notable journalism that has elevated Human Rights-Based Education Reporting.

Your reporting has been instrumental in driving positive change.

Because your stories have given voice to the struggles of the educational sector, we commend your commitment to shining a spotlight on these challenges and successes.

Your works have been inspiring most education sector stakeholders towards a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.

We look forward to your continued impact, knowing that your work will continue to be a guiding light in the quest of educational justice for all.

*ARTUZ OUTRAGED, AS WIFE OF HARARE LEADER ARRESTED FOR DEMANDING HIS RELEASE FROM JAIL

27 June 2024

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) condemns in the strongest possible terms the unjust arrest and detention of the wife of our Harare province secretary general, Ronald Hondongwa.

Mrs. Hondongwa (Philis Pikitai) was merely exercising her right to peaceful protest, holding a placard demanding the release of her husband and the 77 other innocent CCC activists who were arbitrarily arrested.

The denial of bail to these activists is an egregious violation of their constitutional rights. They were peacefully commemorating the Day of the African Child when they were brutally attacked by state security forces.

To add insult to injury, our comrade Ronald Hondongwa lost his prosthetic leg during this senseless violence against unarmed civilians.

We call on the government of Zimbabwe to immediately and unconditionally release Ronald Hondongwa, his wife, and all other political prisoners.

The continued suppression of dissent and crackdown on fundamental freedoms is unacceptable.

Enough is enough - the people of Zimbabwe demand justice and accountability. This injustice will not be tolerated!

*ARTUZ information Desk*

www.artuzteachers.org.zw

*Twitter*


+263776129336/777473135/775643192

Since 2009, ARTUZ has been a driving force for improving education in Zimbabwe's rural communities. As an organization committed to supporting rural teachers and upholding the fundamental right to education, we are a credible voice for educators and the working class.

ARTUZ is a movement which is hinged on creating a more equitable educational system across Zimbabwe's rural regions.

Focus is on enhancing the working conditions for teachers and ensure all students have access to quality learning opportunities.

How to Join:

Ready to get involved? You can register to become an ARTUZ member right here.

Simply send "Hi" on the WhatsApp number below:

+263 71 222 2697

and our chatbot will guide you through the quick sign-up process.

Key Benefits:
- Support for rural teachers and working conditions
- Advocacy to uphold the right to education in Zimbabwe's rural areas
- Opportunity to be part of a credible, legitimate voice for positive change
- Contributing to a more equitable and just educational system.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe is a rural teacher organization founded on the 19th

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 - 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗢𝗻 𝗭𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

The radiance that usually characterised Sukoluhle Ndlovu's face vanished as she recollected her arrest on January 12, 2021.

Ndlovu and 15 other teachers from the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) were arrested and charged with promoting public violence under Section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law Act.

The group had demonstrated at the Public Service Commission offices in Harare, demanding the restoration of pre-October 2018 salaries of $540 and better learning facilities for students.

The protest was swiftly thwarted by the police, who arrested several union leaders, including President Obert Masaraure, Deputy Secretary General Muyaradzi Musiyiwa, Ndlovu and others..three years after their arrest, Ndhlovu and her colleagues, now known as the ARTUZ16 are yet to see the finalisation of their court case.

Numerous excuses have been proffered for the delay in finalising the trial resulting in the group appearing in court over 30 times according to Masaraure.

Read the full story on:

https://www.263chat.com/prolonged-legal-battles-impact-on-zimbabwean-teachers-mental-health/

@
@
Zimbabwe National Students Union-Zinasu
Munyaradzi Masiyiwa
Sukoluhle Ndlovu
263Chat
Community Radio Harare
Munyaradzi Ndawana
Munyaradzi Ndawana
Takemore Mhlanga

Prolonged Legal Battles: Impact on Zimbabwean Teachers' Mental Health | 263Chat By Tendai MakaripeThe radiance that usually characterised Sukoluhle Ndlovu’s face vanished as she recollected her arrest on January 12, 2021. Ndlovu and 15 other teachers from the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) were arrested and charged with promoting public violence under Se...

𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗭, 𝗭𝗜𝗕𝗔𝗪𝗨, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗟𝗨 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀



5 June 2024

As part of membership servicing, ARTUZ together with ZIBAWU and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung is taking part in the Global Labour University Engage Transfer Project.

Some of the concepts unpacked include the Power Resources Approach, Challenges faced by unions and the possible role that the Transfer project can play to assist the unions.

The delegates also deliberated on the types of power which include workplace bargaining power, market place bargaining power, associational power, societal power amongst others.

Focus was placed on how societal power arise when unions cooperate with other networks forming alliances.

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐝𝐞 Guthrie Mhandu 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

Today Cde Wachipa T ( Secretary for Urban Teachers), Cde Munyaradzi Masiyiwa (DSG) and Advocate Dzingira managed to attend a hearing at St James Muzambi in Marondera district in the spirit of injure one, injure all!

Our able Advocate Managed to dismiss, thoroughly, all the purious allegations levelled against our cde, we salute him.

The way at which our Union is being stretched apart in terms of persecution is worrisome and calculated, to note that in a space of 14 days we have been on 2 hearings and 4 court appearances as a union is travesty. Cdes the Union is surely being targeted. Despite all this we have to take the fight to another level. Red Salutations to the general populace for a resounding Solidarity show up at President Masaraure Obert
court today, welcome back from "college" cde President !

Yours in Arms

Secretary for Urban Teachers
T. Wachipa

ARTUZ condemns the conviction and continued detention of their president, . This action has been widely denounced as an attack on fundamental freedoms.

Please sign this petition to support justice for educators in Zimbabwe!

https://chng.it/LDbsmDQ9f9

"Convicted and now in custody for sentencing. We are not moved. We will continue fighting for a free and just Zimbabwe" Pres Masaraure
May 22 2024


Amnesty International Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
Zimbabwe National Students Union-Zinasu
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union Of Zimbabwe-ARTUZ-Bulawayo
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
Women for Economic and Social Empowerment
@

Court Update

May 22, 2024

In a concerning development, Harare magistrate Feresu Chakanyuka has convicted Obert Masaraure, the President of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), on charges related to obstruction of justice. Masaraure has been remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on May 23, 2024 at 9:00 AM in the Harare Magistrates Court.

This verdict is seen by many as a troubling case of injustice, as Masaraure is a prominent trade union leader who has advocated for the rights and welfare of rural teachers in Zimbabwe.

ARTUZ Information Desk:

www.artuzteachers.org.zw
Twitter:
Phone: +263 776 129 336 / 777 473 135 / 775 643 192

🎦 Watch a series of video highlights by Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)'s campaign on Exposing Dire Healthcare Crisis Impacting Teachers

The Union is demanding USD 180 for health care insurance as part of the basket of USD 1 260 monthly income. In this week running from 13 May to 19 May, the Union will demand health care for all.

https://artuzteachers.org.zw/index.php/2024/05/13/artuz-launches-myfairwage-campaign-demanding-usd-1260-monthly-wage-for-educators/

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Zimbabwe's education finances are bleeding because of these mushrooming Associations who demand financial support from Schools. Voluntary Associations like Teachers for ED, NASH, NAPH and NASID e.t.c should be funded by the members not learners.

...𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.

We grapple with financial hardships that hinder our ability to provide for our families, rendering us unable to afford even the most basic necessities or pay for our own children’s education.

https://artuzteachers.org.zw/index.php/2024/05/07/no-more-waiting-artuz-educators-declare-tools-down-tomorrow/


Christine Kayumba
Masaraure Obert
Moyo Thembakuye
Gerald Tinashe Tavengwa
Munyaradzi Masiyiwa
Zimstar News
ZimLive.com

Join the LiveTalk on School Openings featuring ARTUZ Secretary General Robson Chere. Tune in to VOA Shona 8pm for valuable insights, updates, challenges, and strategies. Don't miss out on this enlightening session! .
Masaraure Obert Pride Mkono Tthembakuye Moyo Guthrie Mhandu

𝐅𝐎𝐙𝐄𝐔 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

Federation of Educators Union of Zimbabwe marked its inaugural Workers' Day convergence with a powerful theme: "Decent Work, Social Justice for all through Collective Bargaining." This rallying cry is a beacon of hope for millions of Zimbabweans trapped in precarious work and enduring socio-economic injustice

The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as participants passionately voiced their demands for labor law reform within the Civil service. A resounding call for the recognition of fundamental rights echoed throughout the event, including the right to Collective Bargaining, the right to Strike, and the right to a fair wage. The determination to intensify the struggle grew exponentially, particularly as anticipation mounted for the reopening of schools.

Gerald Tinashe Tavengwa
Takemore Mhlanga
Guthrie Mhandu
Moyo Thembakuye
Community Radio Harare
Education Coalition of Zimbabwe - ecozi
Vemuganga Community Radio
Heal Zimbabwe Trust

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝-𝐔𝐩 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭*

𝟏𝟕 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

Today, at 8:30 AM, our two esteemed leaders, President Obert Masaraure and our National Secretary General Robson Chere, will be appearing in court on trumped-up murder charges. This is a blatant attempt by the authorities to silence and persecute those who dare to challenge the status quo and fight for the rights of the people.

We are imploring those in Harare to stand in solidarity with our leaders and show the world that we will not be cowed by these unjust and malicious prosecutions. We must make our voices heard and demand justice, transparency, and the immediate withdrawal of these false charges.

*ARTUZ information Desk*

www.artuzteachers.org.zw

Twitter
+263776129336/777473135/775643192

*PUBLIC STATEMENT*

*ARTUZ EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN ON THE ANNOUNCED STRUCTURED CURRENCY TO BE LEGAL TENDER*

*4 April 2024*

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), is alarmed by the recent announcement by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, of yet another mutation of the local currency and mysterious promises of monetary stability.

Whilst we acknowledge the need for a strong local currency for macroeconomic development, we express serious concern over the lack of integrity in the operations of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion and the government of Zimbabwe.

As a Teacher Trade Union, we represent a sector that relies solely on monetary transactions and any hiccups in the administration of money is a direct attack on the livelihoods of teachers and other workers in general.

Our worries over the announced changes in the monetary regimes used in the country are not without cause or justification. Workers, like other users of monetary transactions in the country, have the most horrific historical experiences of livelihoods, savings, and investments, lost in a flash when such monetary changes were made and dubious value accredited to a worthless currency.

So, it is a very worrying moment for our sector as we risk having our meagre earnings further eroded. Most government workers including teachers are putting their money in social investments such as purchasing and developing residential stands, poultry and goat farming, as a survival tactic in the harsh economic conditions, and all these have monetary value pegged in US dollars, as a store of value.

The recent announcement of a Structured currency conjures memories of eroded monetary value and shattered investments in the past.

As ARTUZ we make the following observations and demand urgent clarity on the matter, exchange

1. *The Ambush manner of the Introduction of the Structured Currency*

It is our considered view that legal tender denotes that a legal process must accompany the promulgation of a currency that comes into effect. Our research on the matter has revealed that neither the parliament of Zimbabwe nor the Senate had an opportunity of being informed, to contribute, or discuss the introduction of the new currency and its socioeconomic impact, and the law accompanying.

The citizens of Zimbabwe, woke up to the announcement on the press of a development which significantly affects their lives, without the benefit of sufficient notice and consultation. As a Union we maintain that citizens remain the repository of solutions to the challenges affecting their lives, in their diversity. We demand that sufficient consultations be done and room be given for submissions on the matter. Confidence plays a key role in the acceptance of any currency and consultations will result in ownership of the currency by the people of Zimbabwe .NOTHING FOR US WITHOUT US!


2. *Multi-currency regime*

The government position on the usage of different currencies, primarily the US dollar, will be prolonged up to 2030.

We demand that there be clarity on the matter assuring the citizens of Zimbabwe that the introduction of the structured currency will not interfere with the transactions in US dollars. It is a public secret that the economy of Zimbabwe has dollarized and, in some localities, the Zimbabwean dollars are not accepted either as change or for purchases. In business as well, government linked establishments like Innscor refuse to mix local currency with US dollar transactions. All these erode the confidence in the usage of a local currency that is not accompanied by solid assurances of value. We demand that there be safeguards to protect users from unscrupulous money dealers and businesses that have been bred by the economic crises and monetary instability


3. *The Economy has dollarized. Dollarise Civil service salaries*

We demand that all salaries of government workers be pegged to the US dollar to the last cent. All facets of the economy have dollarized and keeping a façade of local currency whose value is not certain, as a component of remuneration for civil servants is hypocritical. The introduction of a new currency should be done where value of earnings is not in dispute and the exchange into another currency fluid.

4. *Restore the Integrity of the banking sector*

It is not a secret that a lot of money in Zimbabwe exist outside the banking sector and act as fuel for monetary speculation in the case of a local currency whose value is not certain. Revelations of cash payments of sums like 1 million US dollars in donation as was recently done by Wicknell Chivayo when he donated to ZCC church, the gold mafia revelations of individuals with large stashes of money, amongst other examples point to a contributory factor to the monetary crisis. We demand that there be due diligence to force monetary transactions to be done in the banking system and eliminate room for black-market speculation. We posit that this will pave the ground for the effectiveness of a new currency and maintenance of value.

To this end, ARTUZ calls upon and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to suspend the promulgation of the new Currency and give notice, unpack the Structured currency, invite input, and give the necessary assurance to the citizens.

As workers tatambura kwenguva refu and we cannot bear another casino experiment with our livelihoods. The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe will continue discharging its mandate of representing teachers, and being part of the citizens collective in fighting for an inclusive education service, economy, social and political environment that allows teachers, workers, and all citizens to live dignified lives.

We don’t teach in isolation!

*ARTUZ information Desk*

www.artuzteachers.org.zw
Twitter
+263776129336/777473135/775643192

From us to you, happy holidays!

Urgent Plea for Immediate Intervention to Ensure Fair Zimsec Registration

19 March 2024

As the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), we vehemently demand justice in the face of the unjust examination fees deadline set by the oppressive governing body, the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC). We refuse to accept this blatant disregard for the rights of students and stand united in our fight for fairness and equality in education. Our recent survey has uncovered a distressing reality: nearly 60 percent of the eligible registrants remain unjustly excluded from registration as of yesterday. This blatant disregard for the rights of our students, coupled with the slim chances of the remaining more than half raising funds within a mere two days, paints a bleak picture of exclusion and inequality.

We stand witness to the struggle faced by countless pupils who are being denied their right to choose the number of subjects they wish to pursue. The oppressive limitation imposed on them, preventing registration for more than five subjects, stifles their dreams and aspirations. Our education system should be a beacon of opportunity, not a suppressor of potential.

Compounding this injustice, we have discovered that many candidates are unable to pay the exorbitant fees demanded by schools before they can register. It is an affront to basic decency that parents are coerced into clearing fees first, while they desperately scramble to meet the registration deadline. In an economy that has left families struggling to make ends meet, the burden of thousands of dollars required for registration is an insurmountable obstacle for most.

We sound the alarm on the impending catastrophe if the examination board remains steadfast in its adherence to the March 25 deadline. Thousands of pupils, innocent victims of this unjust system, face the grim prospect of being excluded from the 2024 examinations. This is not only an educational tragedy but a gross violation of their rights and a perpetuation of inequality.

In light of this urgent and dire situation, ARTUZ issues an impassioned plea for immediate government intervention. We are requesting the Government to offset examination fees for candidates in S3, P3, S2, and P2 schools and extend the registration dates for all candidates. Granting an extension is not only an act of compassion but a demonstration of commitment to equal educational opportunities for all. We demand a system that uplifts the most vulnerable and ensures that no child is left behind due to financial constraints or administrative injustices.

We call upon all stakeholders, parents, students, and concerned citizens to join us in this fight so as to hold the government accountable and create an inclusive, fair, and empowering educational system that nurtures the potential of every Zimbabwean child.

In solidarity,

ARTUZ Information Desk

www.artuzteachers.org.zw
Twitter
+263777473135/776129336/775643192

ARTUZ Teachers | Serving Our Nation, Saving Our Profession and Livelihoods ARTUZ Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe ARTUZ is an organization committed to transforming the landscape of education in rural areas since its establishment in 2009. Our primary mission is the enhancement of working conditions for rural teachers, coupled with an unwavering dedication to u...