Staff Writer
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has called for urgent reforms to improve teachers’ remuneration, working conditions and professional rights as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Teachers’ Day on October 5.
In its 2026 World Teachers’ Day statement, ARTUZ said teachers could not continue to be celebrated in speeches while their material conditions, professional rights and dignity remained under threat.
“Teachers cannot continue to be celebrated in speeches while their material conditions, professional rights and dignity remain under threat,” ARTUZ said.
The union said this year’s commemoration was particularly significant as it marked 12 years of its work in defending teachers’ rights and advocating for decent working conditions, fair remuneration, professional dignity, safe schools and quality public education.
ARTUZ said the current grading system remained a major source of frustration among teachers, arguing that the lack of meaningful differentiation in remuneration failed to adequately recognise responsibilities, experience, qualifications and professional progression.
The union called for a fair and transparent grading system, alongside a salary structure that restores teachers’ purchasing power and enables them to support their families without relying on unsustainable debts or supplementary income-generating activities.
“Our demand for fair compensation is not a privilege; it is a demand for dignity, justice and recognition of the essential work teachers perform,” ARTUZ said.
The union also raised concerns over the housing and accommodation crisis affecting teachers, particularly those deployed in rural and remote areas.
ARTUZ called for improved teacher accommodation, stronger housing allowances and practical housing schemes that respond to teachers’ needs.
It further renewed its demand for meaningful rural hardship allowances, arguing that teachers working in marginalised and remote communities faced difficult conditions and should receive adequate compensation.
On labour rights, ARTUZ said teachers deserved a meaningful voice in determining their salaries and conditions of service, arguing that dialogue without binding and fair agreements could not replace genuine collective bargaining.
The union said it would continue pursuing legal and institutional mechanisms to advance teachers’ constitutional right to collective bargaining.
ARTUZ also highlighted the poor state of public school infrastructure, including inadequate classrooms, insufficient learning materials and poor sanitation.
“The burden of these failures falls on both teachers and learners,” the union said, calling for increased and equitable investment in public schools, particularly in rural and marginalised communities.
The union further called for the alignment of the Public Service Act with constitutional provisions and the rights of public servants.
Despite the challenges, ARTUZ said it was celebrating what it described as gains made through collective action, legal challenges, research and advocacy.
Among the achievements highlighted by the union were its participation in the campaign for United States dollar salaries, improved access to GEMS loans, restoration of access to payslips and legal challenges aimed at defending collective bargaining.
ARTUZ also cited its #SafeSchoolsCampaign, which it said had challenged partisan interference in schools and advocated for educational institutions to remain safe, inclusive and non-partisan spaces.
The union said it had also resisted what it described as enforced ideological indoctrination of teachers, while continuing to provide legal representation to members facing disciplinary and employment-related challenges.
ARTUZ said it had achieved an approximately 90 percent success rate in its legal representation of members.
The union further highlighted its advocacy for inclusive education, progress towards one examination board and efforts to challenge discrimination and stigma against its members because of their trade union affiliation.
However, ARTUZ said its struggle for a dignified teaching profession was far from over.
The union said it was pursuing legal action against the grading system and was also pursuing International Labour Organization procedures over outstanding issues arising from the conciliation process.
ARTUZ said it would continue using findings from its Teacher Basket of Needs Survey to strengthen advocacy for salaries and working conditions that reflect the actual cost of living.
The union urged Government to demonstrate measurable progress on teachers’ remuneration, grading, accommodation, rural allowances, collective bargaining, school infrastructure and the alignment of the Public Service Act.
“Investment in teachers is an investment in the future of Zimbabwe,” ARTUZ said.
The union called on policymakers, education authorities, parents, communities and other stakeholders to recognise that protecting teachers’ rights was an essential part of protecting the right to education.
“To our members, we say to you that your struggles are our struggles, your victories are our victories, and your dignity remains our priority,” ARTUZ said.
The union urged teachers to remain united and organised in defending their professional dignity.
“Respect the teacher. Restore professional dignity. Pay teachers fairly. Fund public education. Defend our rights,” ARTUZ said.