By Tendai Keith Guvamombe
The Zimbabwe Teachers Association(ZIMTA) has once again reminded the nation of the urgent need to review remuneration of teachers in addressing their living conditions. This comes at the backdrop of myriad challenges affecting teachers in delivering their duties.
This was the key message echoed by Akuneni Maphosa ZIMTA National President on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day Commemoration held on Saturday in Harare.
Commemoration 2026 on 10 October 2026
Speaking to stakeholders Maphosa revealed a number of negative aspects affecting teachers in the country. This include inadequate remuneration, work overload, insufficient tools of trade. These culminate into massive brain drain for the country.
“Distinguished guests, allow me to speak plainly about the state of the teaching profession in Zimbabwe today.
First, teachers are not paid a living wage. The average Zimbabwean teacher takes home about US$450 a month. ZIMTA’s own consumer basket for a family of five stood at US$1,084 in June 2026. A teacher therefore earns about 42 cents for every dollar her family needs. Only part of that salary is guaranteed in US dollars.
“Second, we are losing teachers faster than we replace them. Union surveys estimate that about 6,000 teachers leave the service every year. In July 2025 there were 9,425 vacant teaching posts. The Ministry asked for 8,000 new posts; Treasury approved only 2,000 for 2026. That does not even cover one year of departures. Meanwhile, thousands of trained teachers sit at home unemployed.
“Third, teachers are overloaded. The Ministry’s own norm is 20 children per teacher in early childhood. In practice it is over 50. Primary classes run at 55 and more against a norm of 32. Secondary classes of 45 to 60 are common, and the shortages are worst in mathematics, science, technical subjects and A-Level.
Fourth, teachers work without the tools of the trade. Zimbabwe is about 2,400
schools short. Nearly 2,000 satellite schools still await upgrading. In 2023, only 83 of 300 planned schools were built.”
Despite the predicament, ZIMTA President made an urgent appeal for the government to urgently consider scaling up funding of the education sector and at the same time addressing the plight of both rural and urban teachers.
“We call on Government, Parliament and all stakeholders to act on six commitments. Fund education to the benchmark. Raise the 2027 Primary and Secondary Education vote to at least ZiG 67.8 billion, with a published path to 20% of the budget and 6% of GDP.
“Pay teachers a living wage. Agree a multi-year salary path that closes the gap to the poverty basket by 2030, starting with at least US$100 a month in 2027. Pay salaries in US dollars or at a guaranteed rate, and restore rural, housing and transport allowances. Unfreeze recruitment. Fill all 9,425 vacant posts in 2027, starting with early
childhood and STEM classes, ” Maphosa added.
