Zimbabwean teachers are set to begin the third school term of 2025 next week with no clear prospect of a salary increase, despite growing calls for pay that matches the cost of living.
Currently, educators and other civil servants earn around US$270 plus local currency allowances — far below the poverty datum line and the region’s average wages for teachers.
During a parliamentary session this week, Glen View North legislator Happymore Chidziva pressed Public Service and Labour Minister Edgar Moyo to clarify whether salaries would be reviewed to align with the cost of living, and if non-monetary benefits such as housing and fuel support were being considered.
In his response, Minister Moyo sidestepped direct commitment to a pay rise, indicating that current hardships could continue until the end of the year.
He said government, through the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC), regularly reviews civil servants’ salaries and working conditions, but insisted these adjustments must balance welfare improvements with fiscal sustainability.
Moyo highlighted existing non-monetary incentives for teachers, including access to land for housing development, a duty-free vehicle import scheme, participation in the Government Employees Mutual Savings (GEMS) programme, and ongoing efforts to improve institutional accommodation.
“The ministry is also engaging stakeholders to develop more innovative ways of cushioning teachers, including school-based incentives supported by local communities and responsible authorities,” he added.
Zimbabwe remains one of the lowest-paying countries for teachers in the region. Comparative data shows a significant gap: Namibian teachers earned about US$1,759 monthly in 2021, while in Botswana salaries ranged from 5,970 to 22,700 pula. In Lesotho, the average teacher salary in 2024 stood at roughly 11,800 maloti (about US$792).
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