Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
HARARE – The National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) has unveiled a new salary structure for Zimbabwe’s teachers, with all educators receiving a US$320 base paid in hard currency plus a variable ZiG top-up. But the announcement came with sharp-edged guidance: those unhappy with the new grading system are free to leave the profession.
Under the agreement reached with the Public Service Commission (PSC), teachers will receive monthly salaries ranging from US$479 to US$485 plus an US$80 teaching allowance. Deputy heads will earn US$503 to US$510 plus US$80, while school heads will take home US$724 to US$734 plus US$80.
However, only US$320 of these amounts will be paid in United States dollars for all three categories. The remaining balance will be converted at the official interbank rate of the day.
What Teachers Actually Take Home
Using the current official interbank rate of approximately 25.6 ZiG per US dollar, here is the real breakdown:
Position US$ Portion ZiG Portion (approx.) Total Value
Teacher US$320 6,118 – 6,272 ZiG US$479–485 equivalent
Deputy Head US$320 6,733 – 6,912 ZiG US$503–510 equivalent
Head US$320 12,390 – 12,646 ZiG US$724–734 equivalent
Plus all three categories receive an US$80 teaching allowance on top.
“Unsatisfied? Leave” – NJNC’s Blunt Message
In extensive guidelines released alongside the salary deal, the NJNC did not mince words about the new job evaluation and grading system.
“Anyone who feels unsatisfied with the current grading system is free to leave the system.”
The council urged members to “try elsewhere for higher posts rather than confining themselves to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE).”
Key Changes Under the New Grading System
Qualifications No Longer Automatically Mean Promotion
The NJNC made clear that attaining higher qualifications while remaining in the same position will no longer trigger regrading:
“There will be no more applications for regrading after attaining higher qualifications while remaining in the same position.”
“A diploma, degree, masters, or PhD holder can remain in the same position unless they successfully apply to leave that position.”
Only Two Promotional Posts in Schools
The guidelines clarify that only the positions of Deputy Head and Head have different grades:
“There is no different grade for Senior Teacher, Senior Woman/Master, or Head of Department (HOD).”
“A beginner teacher and an experienced teacher belong to the same level.”
Grading Is Based on the Role, Not the Person
“Roles are graded according to their demands and requirements, not according to the person in office or their experience.”
No Lateral Movement From Higher to Lower Levels
“No one can move from a higher level to a lower level even on a lateral basis, as grading does not reduce any role from its current standing.”
The Only Path to Promotion
For teachers seeking advancement after earning higher qualifications, the NJNC outlined a strict process:
“Those who seek promotion after attaining higher qualifications must apply and move elsewhere, including to other ministries.”
For those in the same grade (for example, grade D1), the procedure is the same as any recruitment process:
“When vacancies are advertised, applicants must apply, wait for selection, pass interviews, and if successful, be confirmed. No shortcuts exist for movement from Head to Schools Inspector to Deputy Director.”
Schools Inspectors and Future Changes
The NJNC confirmed that Schools Inspectors will be identified by level—for example, SI Primary or SI Secondary.
“In due course, the Head of Department post will be considered a promotional post.”
Heads of Schools Warned
School heads received a specific caution:
“Heads of Schools were urged to share authentic statistics and not inflated figures.”
“School Heads were also cautioned not to assume they are now at par with Schools Inspectors or Deputy Directors, despite grades being bunched, as their duties differ by place and level of operation.”
What Happens to Affected Posts?
For those affected by posts not on the graded roles—such as the DLLC post, which remains a work in progress—the government has made arrangements:
“The government will allocate affected members elsewhere in the system.”
Retirement Age Adjusted
The NJNC also announced changes to retirement:
· Early retirement available from 55 years and above
· Maximum retirement age extended to 70 years
Analysis: Mixed Reactions Expected
While the US$320 hard currency base provides some stability in Zimbabwe’s volatile economy, the effective ZiG salaries remain subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
Teachers take home the same US$320 regardless of grade, with only the ZiG component differentiating seniority levels.
The NJNC’s blunt “leave if unsatisfied” message signals a hardline stance on labour mobility, effectively telling educators that promotion requires changing posts—potentially even leaving the ministry entirely.
For a profession already struggling with brain drain to neighbouring countries and overseas, the message may accelerate departures rather than retain experienced staff.
📊 At a Glance: New Teacher Salary Structure
Teacher Deputy Head Head
Salary range US$479–485 US$503–510 US$724–734
Teaching allowance US$80 US$80 US$80
US$ portion (all) US$320 US$320 US$320
ZiG portion 6,118–6,272 6,733–6,912 12,390–12,646
Exchange rate 25.6 ZiG/USD 25.6 ZiG/USD 25.6 ZiG/USD
📱 CONNECT WITH ZIM GBC NEWS,
Platform Handles
X (Twitter) @ZimGbc
Instagram @ZimGBCNews
TikTok @ZimGBCNews_01
Facebook Zim GBC News
YouTube Zim GBC News
📲 Real-time alerts on WhatsApp: +263 773 820 323
🌐 In-depth coverage: www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
📧 For advertising inquiries: Call, text or WhatsApp +263 773 432 994
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2026