Harare- Zimbabwe teachers have decided to engage in an industrial action and working for two days per week citing incapacitation.

Schools opened a week ago and teachers at various schools have been telling parents to brace for the worst as they can only come to work on Monday and Friday alone.

“We were told that they are incapacitated and they are only able to come to work twice a week. The situation is now difficult for our children. They are being deprived of their basic right,” said Ruvimbo Taruvinga a parent.

A visit to various schools in Harare showed a few teachers had reported for work with others talking to parents on how to contain the situation.

“Only a few teachers are available at the school. We were engaging Grade 6 and 7 teachers so that they do not go on strike. What we have agreed with them is that we pay them 3US dollars per child per week so that our children get the education they need” said a parent on condition of anonymity

A headmaster at a local school said they had received a memo from teacher organisation telling them that teachers were withdrawing services until their grievances are met.

“It is true that we received a memo confirming that teachers will only report for duty two days a week. However, as a school we are saying grade 6 and 7 teachers should continue to offer their services on condition that they agree with parents to pay them extra money” said the headmaster.

President Mnangagwa’s Government is also facing a job strike from medical doctors in government hospitals   who have been refusing to report for work for the past four months.

President of Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Takavafira Zhou said teachers had  decided  to work only two days per  week on  Monday and Friday  and  the rest of  the  days are sit ins.

“We are totally incapacitated as teachers.  We are going to be working two days per week.  Some of our members are still coming to their work stations this week but there is nothing happening in schools in terms of work since last week as we are incapacitated,” Zhou said.

Yesterday students from Njube High School conducted a demonstration in Bulawayo and called on the Government to address teachers’ grievances.