By Promise Dube
Teachers at Faith Christian College in Bulawayo have expressed concern over the late arrival of their salaries, claiming they go for months without pay and receive less of what they owed when the money eventually comes.
The teachers said they are now unable to pay their bills, making life unbearable, a situation that has demotivated them.
Faith Christian College is a private school located at Corner Third Avenue and Herbert Chitepo in the city.
Concerned teachers who spoke to CITE on the condition of anonymity claimed they only received their paychecks for the first two months of the year in March.
“The contract given to teachers was that teachers were supposed to get US$350 per month, that is January, February, and March when schools are open but the school said it will pay us US$300, while the remaining balance of US$150 will come in April during the holiday because when the schools are closed we don’t earn full amount,” alleged the teachers.
However, teachers were only paid for January and February in March, with their March salaries arriving in May.
“In May we only received US$300. The remaining balance of US$150 that we were supposed to be given during the April holiday we didn’t get. Our May salary came in June,” claimed the disgruntled teachers who noted this was the same situation for non-teaching staff as well.
The teachers also complained that the school did not give them written contracts and that these agreements were made verbally.
“We have not received our pay for June, which was supposed to be paid on July 10, 2023, and nothing has been communicated,” said the concerned teachers who said such sporadic pay outs were negatively affecting their planning.
The teachers added this was also demotivating, a factor that would also affect the school children.
“It becomes hard to plan. We have children who are also in school and we are expected to pay school fees otherwise our children will suffer. We have daily needs that have to be met – food, and transport. As for rent, we have to constantly negotiate with landlords. It is hard to be committed to your work when you are not being appreciated,” said the teachers, who appreciated that the Zimbabwean economy was tough but school authorities had to communicate effectively on their position.
“How do you work without motivation? It affects the children as well because they are here to learn. If they are not getting the services expected of us, it becomes a challenge. They will end up failing.
When reached for comment, the school headmistress Grace Ndlovu said she had no comment as the teachers knew the correct channels to follow regarding salaries.
