Staff Reporter

The Government has warned that it will withdraw salaries and arraign before a disciplinary committee teachers who abscond from duty without a valid reason.

In a statement yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, castigated the unwarranted conduct of some teachers who failed to attend to classes and warned that the errant teachers will be punished accordingly.

“It has come to the attention of the Permanent Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education that some officials did not report for duty when schools opened on 7 February 2022 as per the 2022 school calendar. This unwarranted conduct deprived learners of their right to education as enshrined in Section 75 and 81 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

“Accordingly, Heads of Offices should take urgent displinary action against any of their members who obstructed the opening of schools and deprived learners of their constitutional right .Where necessary, Heads of Offices should charge and suspend such members at the school, district or national level and ensure that all due processes are followed as per Public Service Regulations 2000 as amended,” said Mrs Thabela.

Thabela further directed Provincial Education Directors to provide a daily update on progress in handling the disciplinary cases in their respective provinces. She added that the principle of ‘no pay, no work’ was still applicable to civil servants.

Meanwhile, Government has yesterday offered a lucrative salary package to civil servants resulting in them being paid USD$175 in hard currency starting from March this year, while the other part of their salaries will be accessed in local currency. On top of that, Government said civil servants can now import vehicles duty free. Government is also making efforts to provide accommodation to civil servants especially.