Examination markers who spoke to The Standard yesterday, said Zimsec was supposed to pay them all their fees before results were released, but this has not been done. “Zimsec deposited only three quarters of our fees, but the body has not communicated to us as to why there is such a huge shortfall,” said one examination marker who requested anonymity.
The makers were supposed to be paid between 90 cents and US$1,20 per each paper they marked. Markers who were expecting between and US$600 and US$700 got only US$300.
Raymond Majongwe, the secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, said Zimsec was not respecting teachers as professionals by failing to pay them in full for marking examinations. “The real challenge is that markers were duped into believing that money would be deposited into their accounts, but up until now they haven’t got their full pay,” Majongwe said.
Sifiso Ndlovu, the Zimbabwe Teachers Association public relations officer said that Zimsec has paid only 75% of the amounts involved and blamed it for not honouring markers contracts. “Markers signed contracts and are they supposed to have been paid in full seven days after they finished marking. We will make this a matter of urgency, as we take it up with the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture,” said Ndlovu.
“A long-term recommendation of adequate funding will be suggested so as to avoid such cases and encourage participation of educators in terms of marking,” Ndlovu added.
A disgruntled marker who spoke to The Standard said the way Zimsec treated markers would compromise examination marking in the future.“They want us to mark examinations but they do not want to pay us. Is this the way to go?”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Education Union of Zimbabwe (NEUZ) is also unhappy with Zimsec.
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The body has appealed to Education minister David Coltart to intervene in a labour dispute between the exams body and and its workers. An independent arbitrator Arthur Manase recently ordered Zimsec to pay its 290 employees US$400 000 in outstanding housing allowances dating back to 12 months ago. — by our staff
