No more teacher swops in Masvingo

Date:

MIDWEEK REPORTER

MASVINGO-In a move that is meant to curb rampant abuse of the swop transfers system by teachers in Masvingo and Chiredzi urban the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Education have stopped the service with immediate effect.

Masvingo Province Education Director, Shylatte Mhike.

In a memo signed by PSC Provincial Coordinator, Tauya Makuza and Provincial Education Director, Shylatte Mhike in our possession the suspension of the swop transfer system was with effect from January 13, 2025.

“We have suspended all Masvingo and Chiredzi urban swops by our members due to serious abuse.

“One would go to the extent of swopping with his or her spouse yet one of them would have bought a ticket to go to UK and leave the rural station that he or she would have said is going vacant after misleading the commission.

“Some were charging as much as US$4 000 to swop with someone in the rural areas only to use the money to buy a ticket to UK and fail to go to the promised station hence we decided to suspend the system until there is discipline in the profession,” said a source at Wigley House.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure condemned corruption in the transfer of teachers which is caused by ministry officials.

“There is a lot of corruption associated with transfers. Teachers transferring to urban schools are forced to pay some fee to some corrupt officials. The Swop process in a way eliminates the corrupt official. Unless convinced otherwise by some more information, the circular is inspired by corruption.

We should however question why many teachers want to go to urban schools? The government has failed to incentivize rural teaching.

ARTUZ calls for the establishment of a rural retention and attraction package. Such a package should involve promotion opportunities and a rural allowance which is 100% of basic salary. Government should also stop the practice of transferring teachers to rural schools as some form of punishment for acts of misconduct. Rural schools are not correctional facilities,” said Masaraure.

When contacted for a comment Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary general, Raymond Majongwe said they have not heard about it and will issue a statement as soon as they get the memo.

In Harare swops transfer were also stopped last year following an outcry from the rural teachers who were being fleeced to the tune of US$6 000 to get a place in the urban schools by teachers who would have secured tickets to fly out of the country for greener pastures.

“Please be advised that all swop transfers with members in Masvingo urban and Chiredzi urban schools have been suspended with immediate effect. All members who wish to transfer from Masvingo urban and Chiredzi urban schools should apply for a direct transfer to respective district offices,” reads the memo.

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