Artuz plans virtual protests over teachers’ poor salaries

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Artuz has been mobilising its members and sister groupings to protest against poor working conditions, remuneration, incapacitation and other ills blighting the country’s education sector.

By Donald Nyandoro

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) is planning a virtual protest after their scheduled demonstration slated for June 16 was disrupted by the announced new Covid-19 measures, they described as “politically motivated”.

Artuz made the announcement on their microblogging site, Twitter today.

The politically motivated lockdown scuttled our planned 16 June protests to #SaveOurEducationZw. We thank trs and students from @Zinasuzim who registered to take part in the protests nationwide. We will be taking the 16 June protests to online platforms. #ReclaimingTheFuture

— Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe,ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) June 14, 2021

Artuz has been mobilising its members and sister groupings to protest against poor working conditions, remuneration, incapacitation and other ills blighting the country’s education sector.

“The politically motivated lockdown scuttled our planned 16 June protests to #SaveOurEducationZw. We will be taking the protests to online platforms,” the union said.

The CCZ monthly budget for a low income earner gives a clear picture of the tr incapacitation crisis. Tr earning RTGS 20 000 cannot be expected to bridge the 19 000 deficit for basic needs. @MoPSEZim still expects us to deliver.#SaveOurEducationZw#ReclaimingTheFuture @Zinasuzim pic.twitter.com/PxRjOmKSSz

— Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe,ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) June 14, 2021

Artuz had previously indicated that they had identified the Mbuya Nehanda statue site as the meeting point for their planned protest.

Yes!In commemorating #June16 this year, we will work with @ARTUZ_teachers in asserting our RIGHT to accessible and affordable quality education in #ReclaimingOurFuture#SaveOurEducationZw https://t.co/oE0TC3oS3s

— ZINASU🇿🇼 (@Zinasuzim) June 12, 2021

“The statue of Mbuya Nehanda was finally erected in Harare. We hope the state will allow us to visit the site and draw inspiration as we fight against modern day exploitation. Union will be deploying comrades to the site to draw inspiration as we prepare for fresh protests for USD salaries,” Artuz said.

#ReclaimingTheFuture for our learners and children is an attitude we have adopted to #SaveOurEducationZw we are excited to be walking down this path with the revolutionary students mvt @Zinasuzim Day of African Child will mark a new beginning, the oppressors will not know rest.

— Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe,ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) June 12, 2021

Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) had registered interest to join the June 16 demonstrations.

“In commemorating The Day of the African Child (June 16), this year we will work with Artuz in asserting our right to accessible and affordable quality education in #SaveOurEducationZw and #ReclaimingOurFuture,” Zinasu said on Twitter account.

Vice President and Health minister, Constantino Chiwenga announced the new lockdown measures over the weekend banning all gatherings except for funerals to curb the surge of Covid-19.