17 February 2022
Lindie Dube
Hustling , according to the dictionary means “A person who works tirelessly to obtain finances in time of desperation”
With the rate of inflation spiraling into the sky rendering those found in formal employment, especially civil servants who are remunerated in the local Zimbabwe, teachers have joined the ‘hustle’.
The teachers’ side hussle emanated from an idea to assist the pupil earn more points by teaching them after school hours at the confines of homes.
The parent would stretch out a monetary hand of gratitude.
Over the years extra lessons evolved to become a regular feature in a pupil’s learning curve.
Today homes have become ‘classrooms’ as teachers compensate their useless salaries and teach children from homes. dollar Teachers have been conducting extra lessons in their homes so as to cover costs that their salaries fail to cover.
Most teachers are charging upto US$50 every month per person. Most homes into mini classes, establishing shades, chairs and tables.
Parents had hoped that with the downgrading of Level 2 lockdown which allowed the opening of normal schooling , children would return to class.
In an interview with a teacher from a local primary school she said, “ With extra lessons you earn much more than the monthly salary.
It hurts going to teach other pupils while your own child stays at home because you cannot afford school fees.”
Because parents are desperate for a better future for their children, they pay for the extra lessons.
Citizens should work in Solidarity with teachers.It is one of the most important professions in today’s world.
A teacher should be treated with respect like every other human being. For years teachers have been neglected.
The worst thing that can be done to a person is to be robbed of their essential sense of self worth.
When teachers are being persecuted, parents don’t have to be spectators watching from the terraces as if the crisis affects teachers only.
The children’s future is at stake as their future depends on Teachers being there for them and molding them for the future.
A teacher is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence and virtue.
Pupils have not being attending school because of the Covid- 19 measurements to curb the spread of the virus, now that the schools have finally been open the pupils have no teachers to attend to them because there were on strike.
Teachers did not report for work when schools opened for the first term on the 7th of this month.
Meanwhile, Public Service Commissions (PSC) set an ultimatum to striking teachers in a press statement stating that;
“All teachers, deputy heads and heads of schools who do not report for duty by Tuesday 22 February 2022 will be deemed to have resigned from the service;
Those reporting for duty but not teaching will also be deemed to have resigned.
Unemployed trained teachers, university and college graduates in the sciences, engineering, technical, vocational areas and other desciplines who are intere in joining the teaching profession should ensure that they are registered at the nearest district education offices as the recruitment process shall begin soon after the 22nd of February 2022;
Those deemed to have resigned shall not be eligible for this recruitment.”
The struggle continues for the Teacher.