Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation address under fire...

Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation address under fire

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe has strongly criticized President Mnangagwa's State of the Nation address, accusing him of glossing over pressing national issues and misleading the public.

The union expressed particular disappointment with the President's handling of education, citing a lack of strategy to address the alarming dropout rate and neglect of teacher welfare and infrastructure concerns .

ARTUZ took issue with the President's emphasis on "illusionary momentum" in education, specifically ICT penetration, which they deem irrelevant to the sector's real challenges. The union argued that the President failed to provide concrete solutions for education financing, teacher morale, and infrastructure gaps. Instead, his focus on peripheral issues has raised concerns about the government's priorities.

A major point of contention is the President's proposal for the Teacher Professional Council which ARTUZ believes will be used to punish teachers rather than promote professional development. The union emphasized that conditions of service should be determined through collective bargaining between worker representatives and employers, as outlined in the constitution .

However, ARTUZ welcomed the announcement to amend the Public Service Act, urging that the revised act include essential rights such as the right to strike and collective bargaining for civil servants. The union vowed to continue advocating for a progressive act that prioritizes the well-being of teachers and the education sector as a whole.

ARTUZ's statement underscores the growing discontent among educators and citizens regarding the government's handling of critical national issues. As the debate surrounding the State of the Nation address continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these pressing concerns.