Zim: Only US dollars can buy education
HARARE: Zimbabwean teachers ignored the start of the new school term on 27 January, 2009 and remained on strike, demanding the payment of their salaries in US dollars.
The opening of schools had already been delayed by a week after teachers refused to mark the 2008 public examinations, which has affected the grading of pupils due to enter secondary school. Teachers are demanding US$2,300 a month.
Sifiso Ndlovu, chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, told IRIN that the strike was basically solid. "The teachers did not report for duty throughout the country and in the poorer parts of urban areas. The school gates and classroom doors were open, but there were no teachers to teach the pupils."
