Ray Bande in MUTARE
Teachers need to be recognised because of the place they occupy in communities as role models, but must also be economically empowered and not be afraid of participating in economic empowerment programmes, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said yesterday.
In recent years, teachers have incessantly complained about poor remuneration and declining standards of living, but Government has introduced several safety nets aimed at cushioning them as it continues to explore lasting solutions for their welfare.
Addressing delegates during the workshop of Teachers for Economic Development, abbreviated Teachers for ED, held at Mutare Showgrounds, Minister Mutsvangwa said: “I remember very well when I was growing up we used to look up to teachers as role models and opinion leaders in our communities.
“Even when faced with a problem at home, teachers are the ones who would assist. We would go to the local headmaster even when one gets sick in the family and would need transport to ferry them to the nearest clinic or hospital. Therefore, the importance of teachers can never be overemphasised.
“It is against this background that we want to ensure that we restore the dignity of our teachers. Some might think that the Teachers for ED is a sub-political initiative, but I tell you it is for your advantage and that of your family to be part of such a noble initiative aimed at empowering our educators.”
Minister Mutsvangwa urged teachers to change the narrative and start speaking positively about their nation and Government.
“This is who we are,” she said. “We are Zimbabweans. The country belongs to all of us. If Zimbabwe was a private company, we are all equal shareholders.
“There is no one among us who is more Zimbabwean than the other.
“Now, the Second Republic is about bringing everyone on board. The President realised the importance of each and every one of us. No one should be left behind.
“Come on board and bring your ideas. It is easy to say bad things about our country even to our children, but in the end we are just shooting ourselves in the foot. When you go out of the country you will always be identified as a Zimbabwean with your passport.
“Is this how you would want to be perceived as a people? The time has come for teachers to be active participants in economic empowerment programmes of our country.”
Minister Mutsvangwa urged teachers to be more serious about generating income and businesses to augment their salaries as well as be active participants in Government economic empowerment programmes through the Teachers for Economic Development initiative.
“Gone are the days when people lived by their salaries alone,” she said. “There is no shame in selling things like vegetables and fruit as part of an income generating project at household level.
“I am a Government Minister, but I take time, especially during Sundays, to stand by the road near my farm selling vegetables and other farm produce. In fact, at times I sell three times than what the boy at our farm sells because passers-by find it exciting to see a Government Minister selling vegetables. I don’t know why.
“Therefore, the message is that there is need to augment the little that we get through income generating projects for the sake of our families, and to take advantage of initiatives such as Teachers for ED so that we are active participants in the economic activities being availed by Government in our country.”
Minister Mutsvangwa underscored the importance of teachers in the fight against drug abuse and promotion of mental health of the school-going generation.
Code-named Teachers for ED, the Teachers for Economic Development initiative is a voluntary teacher organisation aimed at economically empowering the country’s educators through self-income generating projects.