CIRCULAR LETTER NUMBER 28 OF 07 MAY, 2008:

TO:      1.   ZIMTA National Executive Members (through PEOs)

2.       ZIMTA Provincial/District/Branch/Secretaries, Leaders and Members

3.       ZIMTA Sub. Associations : NAEO, NAPH and NASH.

4.       ZIMTA National Secretariat (through the eleven Association offices)

Dear Colleagues

ALLEGED THREATS AND / OR VIOLENCE AGAINST TEACHERS: UPDATE ZIMTA:

1.         The ZIMTA 2008 Annual National Conference condemned violence against civilians in general, and against Education Personnel in particular, for whatever reason.  Conference resolution and action followed reports made by some delegates that several teachers had received threats from different political  quarters, or that they were actually accosted for influencing the voting pattern in favour of one of the contesting political parties.

1.1               Conference made it abundantly clear that ZIMTA is non-aligned to any political party, and should resist being dragged into partisan politics, because educators teach children from parents/guardians who belong to different political groups.  ZIMTA would, therefore, remain apolitical, and pursue its core business in relation to providing quality public education, and improving the status of teachers through enhancing their remuneration, social standing and effectiveness as role models in societies they serve.

1.2               However, following several reports by telephone, and in writing from members, and through the media, on violence against teachers, the ZIMTA leadership requested to meet the employer of teachers, Government, to discuss issues, and determine the way forward.  Affected teachers and their families were suffering.  They were traumatized.  Learners are negatively affected because their education is continuously disrupted when teachers miss lessons, or flee for dear life from their workstations, after receiving threats or when they have been abused, or beaten up.

1.3               The Public Service Commission (PSC) indicated that they were aware of severe learning disruptions in schools, particularly during the ZIMTA initiated strikes, and when teachers left their stations after alleged threats or/ and violence against them.  ZIMTA strongly condemned the orchestrated violence and asked the PSC to urgently intervene through related Government organs.  The situation should not be allowed to degenerate beyond the current distablisation level.

1.3.1          While they talked about the PSC’s own limitations regarding power to influence other sectors of Government, such as the Police, Army, Judiciary, or Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on how they should conduct their business, including the speed at which they process pending cases, ZIMTA insisted that Government had a duty to protect the victims.

1.3.2          We agreed that the ZIMTA concerns would be relayed to the Chairman of the PSC for the attention of the related politicians.  We expect peace and harmony soonest to create a conducive learning / teaching environment for teachers.

2.         In the event of there being continuing threats to or/ and violence perpetrated against teachers, please, advise the victims to document such cases, report to the Police, MOESC structures, and send copies to ZIMTA structures, as well.

Have the copies of such reports stamped for use when follow ups are made.

2.1               Teachers, who leave their stations, without reporting reasons for doing so, may be penalized for absconding.  Reports may be made at any level, even away from the station, if it becomes evidently dangerous to remain at a point.

2.2               Reports have to be clear, concise and informative.  Have clear margins.

2.3               Our ZIMTA Provincial Offices have to summarise members’ reports, and compile weekly comprehensive reports for submission to us, every Thursday afternoon.

Peter Mabande

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CIRCULAR LETTER NUMBER 29 OF 09 MAY 2008

TO:      1.   ZIMTA National Executive Members (through PEOs)

2.      ZIMTA Provincial/District/Branch/Secretaries, Leaders and Members

3.      ZIMTA Sub. Associations : NAEO, NAPH and NASH.

4.      ZIMTA National Secretariat (through the eleven Association offices)

Dear Colleagues

STATISTICS ON ALLEGED VIOLENCE AGAINST TEACHERS:

We refer you to our circular letter number 28 of 07 May, 2008, for the back ground and context of our current request to you.

The incidence of violence of all forms is increasing at an alarming rate across the country, particularly in rural educational institutions.  In view of this, ZIMTA is embarking on a campaign to sensitize members and assist to break the silence on violence, lobby and challenge Public Service Commission, Ministries of Education and Home Affairs to stop the violence that has resulted in the closure of schools in many areas.

For this campaign and intervention to be successful, we urge all our Provincial Offices to complete the form below and urgently send it to ZIMTA Head Office before 2 pm, today Friday 09 May 2008.  We have scheduled a Press Conference for 2.30 pm to mark the start of our co-ordinated effort. 

Please, respond promptly to this request.  Together we can stamp out violence against educators, our children and humanity.

Yours faithfully

 

Richard Gundane

NATIONAL SECRETARY GENERAL