HARARE, ZIMBABWE– The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has reported that over 5,000 teachers resigned in 2023, citing salary concerns and inadequate working conditions as primary factors. However, unions contend that the actual number may be considerably higher. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) asserts that approximately 15,000 educators left the profession last year, driven by persistent wage disputes and challenging work environments.
Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro confirmed the education sector has been hit hard by brain drain but disputed the union’s numbers. “Our verified data shows annual departures are significantly lower than the figures cited by unions. In 2023, 5,217 teachers left, representing 3.8% of the workforce. Resignations accounted for 2,109, retirements 2,866, and others 242,” Ndoro said.
The ministry reported that approximately 8,500 new teachers were recruited to fill the gaps left by departures. Ndoro explained that teachers quit for various reasons: family relocation (42%), health or personal reasons (31%), career changes (18%), and remuneration concerns (9%).
Educators continue to push for better pay, demanding a salary increase to at least US$540 per month, the amount they earned before October 2018. Currently, most teachers earn an average of US$250 per month, roughly ZiG3,000, which unions say is insufficient.
The ministry emphasized ongoing efforts to improve teacher welfare, including recent salary adjustments of 10% plus a US$300 monthly supplement, construction of 2,800 new classrooms in 2024, and expanded housing schemes for teachers.
“We are committed to constructive dialogue with all stakeholders through established platforms like the National Joint Negotiating Council,” Ndoro added. He also welcomed documented cases for individual follow-up to address teacher concerns.
Last month, PTUZ sent a delegation to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office requesting intervention on salary issues and other challenges facing the education sector. This followed their earlier petition to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.
The growing teacher exodus and wage dispute continue to pose challenges for Zimbabwe’s education system, with calls for urgent action to retain skilled educators and improve working conditions.
