Members of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) today appeared to their respective schools in rags as a symbol of what their salaries have become.
The demonstration comes at a time when ARTUZ has called on the government to increase their salaries which have been eroded by hyperinflation amid a deepening economic crisis.
Recent reports show that the average pass rate in rural schools has dropped to a figure between 0-5℅ with most of the schools in marginalised areas having only two teachers attending to the entire school.
Reports have also shown that these schools have few to none proper infrastructure in which some even have one classroom accommodating Grade 1-5 pupils and another one with Grade 6-7 pupils.
These harsh teaching and learning conditions have prompted teachers in rural areas to protest in preparation of the demonstration set for 14 October 2019.
However, the Zanu PF led government has not yet addressed these challenges, remaining quiet at a time when rural education is collapsing.
