September 1 2009
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (L) and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma (R) arrive at the Harare Agricultural Show in Zimbabwe capital Harare, August 28, 2009. Zimbabwe teachers refused to return to class when the new school term began on Tuesday as the inclusive government insisted that it was broke to improve on their salaries.

Zimbabwe teachers refused to return to class when the new school term began on Tuesday as the inclusive government insisted that it was broke to improve on their salaries.

Unions representing about 90,000 primary and secondary school teachers said their members would not resume work until government gives them salary increments of US$100 and equivalent amount in allowances.

In July, the seven month old government formed between President Robert Mugabe and his archrivals led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai started paying civil servants salaries of at least US$155 in an effort to revive the collapsed health and education sectors.

The crisis in Zimbabwe’s state run-schools is threatening gains made so far by the fragile coalition, which is still struggling to get meaningful outside assistance.

Educationists also fear it would pose a danger to the country’s status as one of the most literate societies on the continent.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Zimbabwe’s economy, which has been in reverse gear since 1997 did not have capacity to accommodate another increment for civil servants.

Mr Biti said in July the government recorded its highest revenue inflows this year of about US$90 million and 65 percent of this was gobbled by salaries.

“Our main priority is to pay the civil servants and from the time we announced salaries for the civil servants, about 70 percent or two thirds of the budget has gone to pay our workers,” he said.

“We paid around US$52 million for civil servants’ salaries and the rest has to go to hospitals for drugs, the various embassies across the world, food and inputs for agricultural activities.

“Unless there is a dramatic improvement in the economy and revenue improves by 300 percent, we have no fiscal space for a salary increment at the moment.”

Last year, Zimbabwean schools and hospitals remained claimed closed for long periods due to unending strikes.

nation.co.ke